Sleep
As we all will know, getting a really good night’s sleep is pretty amazing. It can elevate your energy levels, make it easier to focus and brighten our mood. But getting a good night’s sleep can be easier said than done so here are a few tips which can help you prioritise your sleep:
Go to bed at the same time each night and try to wake up roughly the same time each morning.
Learn to switch off. It’s tempting to check emails or scroll through social media before you go to sleep but looking at a screen directly before bedtime can make it harder to drop off. Turn your devices off at least half an hour before bed or even better leave them in a different room to avoid the temptation to take a look.
Try introducing a sleep routine such as having a bath, shower or reading before bed and if you are struggling with thoughts about the next day you could try writing them down and deal with them in the morning.
Avoid or limit your alcohol intake for a good night’s sleep. Drinking alcohol often results in poor quality sleep and not feeling at your best the next day.
Try some simple breathing exercises and if this is something which you haven’t done before, we offer mindfulness sessions at DMU to help you practise.
Go outdoors – getting outside and doing some physical activity can improve your mental wellbeing and make it easier to get to sleep later.
Most people need between 7 - 9 hours of sleep but everybody is different and some people can feel perfectly rested after less. What matters is that you find out how much sleep you need and then try to achieve it.
If you are having problems sleeping, completing a sleep diary might help you to pin point areas of your day to day routine which you can improve. There are also various apps and devices which can monitor your sleep patterns.
The information presented on this site is for general use only and is not intended for people living with any medical conditions who are seeking personal medical advice; it is not a substitute for the advice of your doctor. If you have any questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your condition, please consult your local GP.