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Causes and Risk Factors 0 [Insomnia](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes) [MENU]() - [Home](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/) - [\< Back To Insomnia](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/node/92674) - Causes and Risk Factors - [What Is Insomnia?](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia) - [Symptoms](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/symptoms) - [Diagnosis](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/diagnosis) - [Causes and Risk Factors](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes) - [Treatment](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/treatment) - [Living With Insomnia](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/living-with) MORE INFORMATION [Find a clinical trial](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials?f%5B0%5D=disease_or_condition_name%3AInsomnia) [Fact sheets and handouts](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources?f%5B0%5D=related_health_topics%3AInsomnia) Insomnia # Insomnia Causes and Risk Factors [](https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhlbi.nih.gov%2Fhealth%2Finsomnia%2Fcauses&title=Causes%20and%20Risk%20Factors "Share") [Email](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/#email "Email") [Print](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/#print "Print") ## Language switcher - [English](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes) - [Español](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/es/salud/insomnio/causas) **IN THIS ARTICLE** - [Age](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes#Age) - [Family history and genetics](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes#Family-history-and-genetics) - [Environment or occupation](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes#Environment-or-occupation) - [Lifestyle](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes#Lifestyle) - [Stress](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes#Stress) - [Sex](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes#Sex) - [Can I prevent insomnia?](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes#Can-I-prevent-insomnia?) Changes in your schedule or environment can cause or raise your risk of insomnia. Some risk factors, such as your job or lifestyle, can be changed. But your age and family history cannot be changed. ## Age You can develop insomnia at any age but your chances of having it increase as you get older. ## Family history and genetics Your [Genes](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes "Definition of Gene ") may raise your risk of insomnia, as insomnia sometimes runs in families. Your genes may also affect whether you are a deep or light sleeper. ## Environment or occupation The following can disturb your sleep-wake cycle, a pattern that your body uses to figure out when to sleep and when to be awake: - Shift or night work - Noise or light during the night - Uncomfortably high or low temperatures Traveling often to different time zones. ## Lifestyle Lifestyle habits can raise your risk of sleep problems. - Changing your normal routine often, including your sleep schedule - Experiencing interruptions in your sleep, such as waking up often to care for a baby - Taking long naps during the day - Getting too little physical activity during the day - Using caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or recreational drugs - Watching TV or using electronic devices close to your bedtime ## Stress Stress or worrying about school or work, relationships, money, or the death of a loved one raises your risk of insomnia. Worrying about whether you will get enough sleep and watching the clock can also raise your risk of insomnia or make it worse. ## Sex Insomnia is more common in women than in men. [Hormone](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes "Definition of Hormone ") changes that take place during pregnancy and menopause can cause problems with sleep. ## Can I prevent insomnia? Your doctor may talk to you about steps you can take to help you sleep better and prevent chronic insomnia. - **Adopt healthy sleep habits and a regular daytime schedule** to help you maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle. - **Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol** close to your bedtime, as these can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep. Learn more about [healthy sleep habits](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/living-with) that may help prevent or manage insomnia. ### Book traversal links for Insomnia - #### Previous [Diagnosis](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/diagnosis "Go to previous page") - #### Next [Treatment](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/treatment "Go to next page") Last updated on March 24, 2022 Back To Top Link [Back to top](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes#main-content) Web Policies & Notices - [Accessibility](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/contact/website-privacy-and-accessibility) - [No FEAR Act Data](https://eeo.nih.gov/no-fear-act) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/contact/website-privacy-and-accessibility/privacy-statement) - [Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/contact/website-privacy-and-accessibility) - [HHS Vulnerability Disclosure](https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes) Related Government Websites - [Health and Human Services](https://www.hhs.gov/) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes) - [National Institutes of Health](https://www.nih.gov/) - [Office of the Inspector General](https://oig.hhs.gov/) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes) - [USA.gov](https://www.usa.gov/) [(link is external)](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes) Stay Connected -  [Live Chat](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes) Live Chat with us, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. - [Get Email Alerts](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news-and-events/email-alerts) Receive automatic alerts about NHLBI related news and highlights from across the Institute. 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Changes in your schedule or environment can cause or raise your risk of insomnia. Some risk factors, such as your job or lifestyle, can be changed. But your age and family history cannot be changed. ## Age You can develop insomnia at any age but your chances of having it increase as you get older. ## Family history and genetics Your [Genes](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes "Definition of Gene ") may raise your risk of insomnia, as insomnia sometimes runs in families. Your genes may also affect whether you are a deep or light sleeper. ## Environment or occupation The following can disturb your sleep-wake cycle, a pattern that your body uses to figure out when to sleep and when to be awake: - Shift or night work - Noise or light during the night - Uncomfortably high or low temperatures Traveling often to different time zones. ## Lifestyle Lifestyle habits can raise your risk of sleep problems. - Changing your normal routine often, including your sleep schedule - Experiencing interruptions in your sleep, such as waking up often to care for a baby - Taking long naps during the day - Getting too little physical activity during the day - Using caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or recreational drugs - Watching TV or using electronic devices close to your bedtime ## Stress Stress or worrying about school or work, relationships, money, or the death of a loved one raises your risk of insomnia. Worrying about whether you will get enough sleep and watching the clock can also raise your risk of insomnia or make it worse. ## Sex Insomnia is more common in women than in men. [Hormone](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/causes "Definition of Hormone ") changes that take place during pregnancy and menopause can cause problems with sleep. ## Can I prevent insomnia? Your doctor may talk to you about steps you can take to help you sleep better and prevent chronic insomnia. - **Adopt healthy sleep habits and a regular daytime schedule** to help you maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle. - **Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol** close to your bedtime, as these can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep. Learn more about [healthy sleep habits](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/insomnia/living-with) that may help prevent or manage insomnia.