Insomnia

Imagine not sleeping an entire night and then being tired the whole day. 

You come home after school to flop on the couch, but can’t seem to close your eyes or turn off your brain. You just sit there staring at the ceiling, contemplating, and stressing. That’s insomnia. 

The National Institutes of Health says that close to 50-60 percent of the population suffers from either chronic or acute insomnia. Meaning millions of people are navigating sleepless nights, battling exhaustion, and struggling with the toll it takes on their daily lives.

Insomnia can stem from many personal issues. According to Mayo Clinic, insomnia can come from stress, constant traveling, caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine. But some simple changes such as staying more active, limiting naps, and not eating a lot of food before sleeping can prevent insomnia and the symptoms that come with it. 

Now, insomnia isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. According to MedlinePlus, most people experience acute insomnia, which usually comes from things like stress, trauma, or big life events and lasts for days or weeks. Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, sticks around and can be triggered by underlying medical conditions, medications, or even smoking.

Bo Hutchinson, 12 deals with insomnia and said, “sleeping is something I’ve always had an issue with. Aside from drinking a ton of energy drinks, it's something I've just gotten used to over the years, but it's still draining.” Bo’s experience shows how insomnia can become a part of daily life, regardless of the negatives. She has found ways to counter the symptoms, but the exhaustion is a reminder that sleep isn’t always as simple as closing your eyes.

At the end of the day, insomnia can be frustrating, but it’s not unbeatable. Sometimes it helps to avoid your problems because when you come back to them, you see it differently. Whether you’re stressing over school, drinking too many lattes, or just dealing with life, try to figure out something that calms you down during these sleepless times. For me, relieving stress involves long walks accompanied by Spotify, or doom-scrolling on TikTok. 

So, if you’re lying awake tonight wondering if penguins have knees or when that test is going to be graded, just know you’re not alone. These issues will pass and eventually, you won’t have to constantly overthink. Maybe tomorrow will be the day you finally conquer that sleepless battle and finally get the sleep you deserve.