While common factors like stress and caffeine are potentially keeping you up at night, there are other surprising reasons that might be making it tough to get a good night's sleep. Here are five unexpected factors that could be disrupting your sleep. 

1. Breathing Issues

Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea or nasal congestion, can significantly impact your sleep quality. Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, can cause frequent awakenings throughout the night. Even mild issues like allergies or a deviated septum can cause nasal congestion, making it hard to breathe comfortably. 

2. Too Much Light Exposure

Our bodies are wired to follow natural light cycles, with darkness signaling it's time to sleep. However, in our modern world filled with artificial lighting, it's easy to disrupt this natural rhythm. Exposure to screens (phones, tablets, TVs) before bed can suppress melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep.

 3. Inconsistent Sleep Schedule

Irregular sleep patterns can confuse your internal clock. If you go to bed and wake up at different times every day, your body doesn't know when it's supposed to feel sleepy or alert.  

4. Diet and Digestion

What you eat, and when you eat it, can have a significant impact on your sleep. Consuming large meals or spicy foods close to bedtime can cause indigestion and discomfort, making it hard to fall asleep. Similarly, while alcohol might make you feel drowsy initially, it can disrupt your sleep cycle later in the night. 

5. Hidden Anxiety and Stress

You might not feel overly anxious or stressed during the day, but these feelings can manifest at night, keeping your mind active when you should be winding down. Sometimes, our subconscious is working through worries and problems that we might not be fully aware of.  

BONUS: Try the AIRWAAV Recovery Mouthpiece to Improve Sleep Quality

The AIRWAAV Recovery Mouthpiece uses Reflex Technology and patented fitting material to improve sleep quality and promote faster recovery. The mouthpiece is scientifically proven to help optimize breathing during sleep, improve sleep quality, and accelerate recovery. The mouthpiece places your tongue in the optimal position during sleep, moving it out of the airway which leads to improved breathing and a better night of sleep.