Insomnia is characterized by consistent difficulties with falling asleep or staying asleep. It becomes chronic when such issues occur frequently, at least three times a week, for more than two months.



Although specific factors like stress or life changes may initially disrupt sleep, it's the perpetuating factors — the habits and routines developed in response to sleep disturbances — that prolong the disorder. These could include going to bed too early, relying too much on sleep tracking, trying to find the ideal room temperature, pillow, etc. While these actions are meant to enhance sleep, they can inadvertently heighten alertness and strengthen the neural connection with being awake, thus fueling the cycle of insomnia.