Having problems sleeping? I'm sure you're not alone many people experience insomnia at some point in their lives.

This is part two of five issues that can cause it.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption may seem like a strange one as it actually seems to help many people fall asleep and small amounts are indeed good. The problem is with larger amounts which cause people to go straight into deep sleep missing out the important first stages.

In addition we typically need to go through 6 or 7 cycles of REM sleep but if we have drunk a lot this is reduced to only 1 or 2 cycles, making us get out of bed still feeling fatigued.

Alcohol also makes us snore more, not so much of a problem for us, though it does mean breathing is more difficult and hence sleep more restless, it is more of a problem for anyone sleeping with us.

Unless they are drunk too, of course!