Horrified: young people are increasingly suffering from insomnia!

Horrified: young people are increasingly suffering from insomnia!

The psychological constitution of young people is alarming and leads to serious consequences, including increasing insomnia. According to a report by fr.de , many youthful difficulties have to find peace at night, since they put constant thoughts and worries at night. This is particularly worrying because a study by the Oberberg Foundation shows that over a third (37.3 percent) of 18 to 29 year olds can often not fall asleep due to fear or brooding.

to clarify this problem, a 19-year-old reports that she feels overwhelmed by the decision between studying and work. Such fears also seem to be due to the increased social expectations of young people who often lead to a feeling of overwhelming. Loneliness and isolation are other aspects that have a negative impact on the mental health of young people. In order to provide help, the telephone counseling in Linz recorded over 17,000 consulting inquiries last year - this corresponds to about 50 calls per day.

causes and effects of insomnia

In addition to the emotional and psychological stresses, external factors also contribute to insomnia. According to hirnstiftung.org , sleep problems are widespread and can be used in the night by stress at school and the use of electronic devices until late at night be reinforced. It shows that many young people often only sleep for 6 to 7 hours, although the recommended sleeping time for 14 to 17 year olds is between 8 and 10 hours.

The biological changes that occur during puberty like a delayed melatonin production, together with unfavorable sleep conditions, reinforce the problem. The most common causes of sleep problems are school and social stress, extensive leisure activities and psychological stress such as depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, physical aspects, such as the restless legs syndrome, can also lead to sleep disorders.

long -term consequences and solutions

The effects of lack of sleep are far -reaching. These range from difficulties of concentration and mood swings to an increased risk of mental illnesses and health problems such as a weakened immune system and obesity. Poor sleeping habits can also have a negative impact on academic performance.

In order to meet these challenges, research recommends several strategies to improve sleep quality. This includes regular bedtime, a calm and dark sleeping environment and the reduction of the screen time before going to bed. Relaxation techniques, healthy nutrition and exercise can also make a decisive contribution to increasing the quality of sleep. Professional help should be used for persistent problems, since sleep disorders are often associated with psychological problems, such as ADHD and anxiety disorders.

In order to do justice to this urgent topic, it could be helpful to integrate educational measures about sleep and its importance in schools. This could help to raise awareness of the importance of good sleep and significantly improve the quality of life of young people. In Germany, the telephone counseling numbers 0800/1110111 and 0800/1110222 can be reached free of charge at any time.