A Good Night’s Sleep

A good night’s sleep is essential for us to feel happy and healthy. Did you know adults need at least seven hours of sleep? Not getting enough sleep means you are less able to concentrate, think clearly, and process memories.

There are many reasons why you might find getting enough sleep difficult. These might include busy work schedules or health issues. However, there are a few changes you can make to improve your night’s sleep so that you wake up refreshed.

First of all, if anxiety is preventing you from falling asleep, you could allocate yourself some ‘worry time’. During the day, you can write in a diary or take some time to think. You might ask yourself some questions like ‘how am I feeling today?’ or ‘is there something on my mind?’ before winding down.

Next, have a think about whether your bedroom environment is ideal for a good night’s sleep. Do your curtains keep the light out? Is it quiet? There are some things you won’t be able to change, like cars driving past your window. However, it is easy to do little things like wear ear plugs or put up some blackout curtains.

Lastly, pay particular attention to your bedtime routine. It’s good to separate your bed from other activities like eating food or watching TV. Try and do these activities in another room so that you don’t associate your bed with being awake. When it’s time to sleep, you could try listening to sleep sounds such as rain and campfires, or even short stories to help distract your mind.

The most important thing is not to judge yourself too harshly if you are trying one or more of these things and they’re not working for you. It can take many years for people to find a sleep routine that suits them, and sometimes you might need a bit of guidance from your GP.

Enjoy creating your ideal sleep routine, and let us know what works for you by emailing communications@creativesupport.co.uk.