"Insomnia" ◆ Don’t Take It Lightly—Seek Help Early

The Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition – June 16, 2006

Following last week’s feature on “sleeping sickness,” this week let’s talk about the “can’t sleep sickness”—insomnia.

“Into the Night” (1985, USA) is a suspense film centered on Ed, a man suffering from insomnia. Once an ordinary office worker, Ed becomes plagued by sleepless nights. As his concentration deteriorates during the day, he hits a wall at work. On top of that, he catches his wife cheating on him, leaving him emotionally adrift.

At night, he lies awake while his wife sleeps soundly beside him. At work, he’s dazed and even dozes off at crucial moments. One night, in an effort to clear his head, he drives to the airport—and suddenly, a mysterious woman being pursued by unknown assailants leaps into his car. He finds himself entangled in an international smuggling case.

Murders occur wherever they go, and the two are forced to flee together. As they face one danger after another, Ed and the mysterious woman begin to form a bond.

In real life, too, many people struggle to sleep due to various sources of stress: marital disputes, issues with children, caregiving for aging parents, workplace tension, and so on.

When sleep is disrupted, the brain loses its chance to heal. Left untreated, insomnia can lead to depression. Don’t ignore the signs—consult a mental health professional early on.

Treatment involves restoring restful sleep during the appropriate window (9 PM to 9 AM). Strategies include:

• Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes before bed

• Eating a solid breakfast and engaging in activities that raise body temperature in the morning

• Maintaining regular meals, moderate exercise, and relaxing hobbies

• Not forcing yourself to sleep early, but rather waking up at a fixed time every morning

• Adjusting your sleep environment—soothing music, calming scents, optimal humidity, temperature, and lighting

• Taking a morning walk, light evening exercise, and a warm bath before bedtime

If these measures don’t help, sleep medication may be considered. But beware—losing sleep and entering a “night owl” lifestyle may land you in unexpected trouble, just like Ed.