Sleep health
Information
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions concerning your sleep heath.
Select the underlined questions below to see more.
What is sleep health and quality?
Why is sleep so important?
Who is most likely to struggle with sleep?
So why don’t people sleep well?
Stages of Sleep
What is sleep health and quality?
Sleep is an essential part of life but just because you slept for 10 hours doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel better for it! Our sleep is broken into cycles that process memories, emotions and allow the body and mind to rest. So we can thrive the next day.
Why is sleep so important?
Lack of good quality sleep is linked to:
- Difficulties concentrating, restlessness and making decisions
- High stress
- Reduces growth in young children and teens
- Difficulties forming and maintaining relationships
Who is most likely to struggle with sleep?
Anyone!
It’s a really common 21st century difficulty
So why don’t people sleep well?
Our body naturally produces melatonin every day which peaks and drops throughout our ‘circadian rhythm’ (a fancy way of saying “when we get sleepy”). Unfortunately, the blue light emitted from phones, televisions and tablets sends a signal to the brain to delay the release of melatonin assuming that because there is light it must be midday
Our body’s circadian rhythm is synced with natural light, so when the sun sets our Melatonin should release – instead the sun sets and our brain is still taking in a lot of bright, unnatural light that gives mixed signals
You may find you yawn more when tired and your body aches as it’s ready to rest but when you do – you just don’t fall asleep? You find yourself tossing and turning unable to fall asleep. Your brain has sent the signal to release the melatonin but this is the first step of 16 natural chemical processes that alert the brain to commence sleep
Stages of Sleep
It’s a predictable cycle that includes two parts –Non-REM (NREM) sleep and “Rapid Eye Movement” (REM) cycle which is where we dream
Many people including clinicians have said:
Coping with
- Do something relaxing before bed like reading or a warm bath.
- Use an alarm clock instead of your phone, reducing temptation
- Write down to-do’s and worries then you can forget them until the morning.
- Try some mindful skills before bed, like colouring, reading, some calming music, aromatherapy oils, snuggle blanket
If you’re struggling with sleep, here are some ideas that may help you cope:
Finding help
Who can I talk to?
- Friends
- Family
- Health professional (GP; Counsellor Nurse)
- Charities
Select the underlined topics below to view what resources are available.
Useful documents
Useful apps and tools
Helpful websites
Useful documents
Useful apps and tools
Helpful websites
Getting more help
If you haven’t already found the help you’re looking for, you can find additional information and services which are more interactive here.
Select the underlined topics below to view what resources are available.
National support organisations
National support organisations
Try not to use your bedroom for anything other than sleep, like eating meals or watching TV. This will help your brain to link your bedroom with sleep, making it easier for you to drop off. Avoid looking at screens, like mobile phones or TV, just before bed. The light from these screens affects the sleep chemicals in your brain, making you feel more awake.
