Tejasswi Prakash, 32, opened up about being a “borderline insomniac,” adding that she finds it extremely “frustrating”. “I wake up at 10-11 am, sometimes noon. Very late. I sleep at 6 am because I am also a borderline insomniac. I just realised that. I can’t sleep at night. There is no mobile, TV. I just lie down and look at the ceiling fan for hours together. It’s so frustrating. Sometimes, you can see the sunrise through the curtains, but you can’t sleep. There are so many nights in a week that I don’t sleep at all. I actually don’t sleep for even a minute. This has been happening for the last year at least,” Tejasswi told Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa on their podcast.
She continued, “In the beginning, I used to get very irritated as to why I didn’t sleep. After being so tired, I should have slept. The following day used to get ruined. Then I realised why ruin the next day too…so I slept at 6 am and woke up at 11.15. Now, I don’t think about it, it’s very frustrating…It’s not about sleeping in the daytime….I struggle with sleep itself.”
Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, said many people struggle to fall asleep even when they feel exhausted, and this can be frustrating. One common reason is an overactive mind; that is, stress, worry, or constant thinking can keep the brain alert even when the body is tired.
“Irregular sleep schedules, too much screen time before bed, caffeine late in the day, or eating heavy meals at night can also interfere with the body’s natural sleep cycle,” said Dr Agarwal.
Sometimes, underlying issues like anxiety, depression, or hormonal changes make it harder to switch off. Even lying in bed for too long can create pressure to ‘force sleep,’ making the mind more awake,” added Dr Agarwal.
Here’s what you should consider (Photo: Pexels)
Borderline insomnia means occasional difficulty falling or staying asleep that does not meet the full criteria for chronic insomnia, said Dr Agarwal. “It often results in mild daytime fatigue, irritability, and reduced concentration. Addressing it early with sleep‑hygiene adjustments can prevent sleep disorders,” said Dr Agarwal.
What helps is creating a calming bedtime routine.
Simple steps like dimming lights, avoiding phones for an hour before bed, and taking slow, deep breaths can relax the nervous system.
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“A warm shower, light reading, or soothing music can signal the brain that it’s time to unwind. Keeping a regular sleep schedule, sleeping and waking at the same time daily, improves sleep quality. Reducing caffeine, especially after noon, also helps,” Dr Agarwal said.
It’s important to note patterns: How long does it take to fall asleep? Are you waking up often? Do stress or lifestyle habits affect your nights? Observing these signs can help you make small but effective changes or seek help if sleep problems continue.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.