Trouble sleeping? Insomnia and what helps
Insomnia means having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early, and feeling tired during the day. Short spells are common and often linked to stress. Regular sleep habits help many people, and a doctor can help if it lasts or affects daily life.
Last updated 2 November 2026
Signs of insomnia
- taking a long time to fall asleep
- waking in the night and finding it hard to go back to sleep
- waking much earlier than you want to
- feeling tired, irritable or unable to concentrate in the day
Habits that can help
- Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day.
- Keep the bedroom dark, quiet and comfortable.
- Avoid caffeine and heavy meals late in the day.
- Switch off screens before bed and wind down.
- Do not lie awake for long. Get up and do something calm until you feel sleepy.
Sleep and mental health
Poor sleep and mental health affect each other. Depression and anxiety can cause insomnia, and long-term poor sleep can worsen mood. If sleep problems come with low mood or constant worry, a psychiatrist can look at both.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if insomnia lasts for weeks, affects your work or mood, or you are relying on sleep medicines or alcohol to sleep. Talking therapy for insomnia is an effective treatment, and a doctor can advise on medicine if needed.
How to start
- Call or message us. Reach us on +91 90352 54779 or WhatsApp. Tell us your language and a convenient time.
- Free pre-consultation call. Our team takes your history and prepares a report for your clinician, so you do not repeat yourself.
- Video session. You meet your allotted clinician online, from home or wherever you feel comfortable.
- Your plan. The clinician explains what they find and the next steps. You decide together.
Book your free pre-consultation call
Your privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
How much sleep do I need?
It varies between people. What matters most is whether you feel rested and function well in the day.
Are sleep medicines safe?
They can help for a short time, but are not meant for long-term use. Speak to a doctor before starting or stopping them.
Can anxiety cause insomnia?
Yes. Worry can keep the mind active at night, and treating the anxiety often helps sleep.
Related
- Insomnia
- Trouble sleeping: when to get help
- Depression
- Exam stress: signs for students and parents
- OCD or just being careful? How to tell the difference
Sources
Mindly Health is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.