Take time to look at your sleep habits
No matter who you are or what you do, sleep is essential for health. Among many benefits, sleep supports memory, promotes brain health and helps our immune system. A lack of sleep makes us tired, irritable and affects our concentration.
Now is the perfect time to look at our night-time routine and the small adjustments we can make to improve our sleep. It is held every year on the Friday before the March Equinox, which marks when day and night are roughly the same length. After the equinox, the day will be longer than the night.
With the clocks also going forward to British Summer Time on Sunday 31 March, this change can affect our circadian rhythm – in other words, our internal clock. And while many of us welcome the longer days, others may experience disruption to their sleep during the increased daylight hours in the spring and summer months.
How to improve sleep
- Go to sleep and wake up at similar times every day
- Sleep in a calm and restful environment such as a cool, dark and quiet room
- Avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol before bed
- Regular exercise everyday
- If you worry a lot about life before falling asleep write your worries down
- Try not to watch TV or use electronic devices before sleep
Everyone should aim for good sleep hygiene, whether you have a sleep problem or have a good night's sleep every night. If you experience sleep problems, these often sort themselves out within a month or so. But, if you are experiencing longer episodes of insomnia it is worth seeking further support.
You can self-refer to an online platform called Silvercloud through NHS talking therapies, which uses interactive videos, quizzes, and other materials to create associations that support good sleep.
Visit Healthy Surrey for more sleep tips and for further information about the help available if you are struggling with your sleep.
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