All of us have trouble sleeping from time to time. This is perfectly normal. Sleep problems (also known as insomnia) are often triggered by sudden life changes that lead to increased stress. For instance, following the death of a loved one, a car accident or a promotion to a new job, many people experience difficulties getting a good night’s sleep. This normal response to stress usually lasts for a short time, rarely longer than a week or two. However, some people have chronic problems sleeping which do not seem to go away.If you are one of these people, or you are having temporary insomnia, this Self-Care Guide should help. It will give you some general information about sleep, as well as provide a number of helpful suggestions to aid those with sleep problems. Read it carefully, as many common sleep problems are caused by one’s own habits, and by adopting some of the following sleep-promoting behaviors, most people can get a good night’s rest without the aid of drugs.
This Self-Care Guide has been adapted by University of California, Berkeley 2222 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94720 from the Total Health Care Program’s guide, parts of which were adapted from “Patient Education Aids,” Patient Care Magazine, Aug. 15, 1980, pp 131-135
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