Sleep Advice: How to get a better night’s rest
Signs of insomnia / poor sleep
Do you often find yourself lying awake at night, struggling to feel rested? You might be experiencing insomnia or poor sleep if you:
- Struggle to fall asleep.
- Wake up several times during the night.
- Feel tired when you wake up.
- Wake up too early and find it hard to get back to sleep.
- Feel irritable, tired, or unable to concentrate during the day.
The amount of sleep we need changes with age:
Adults: 7 - 9 hours
Children: 9 -13 hours
Toddlers and babies: 12-17 hours
What causes sleep difficulties?
There are many reasons why you might struggle to sleep, including:
- Stress, low mood, or anxiety.
- Disruptive noise or an uncomfortable sleep environment.
- Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, or recreational drugs like cocaine or ecstasy.
- Jet lag or irregular schedules (e.g., shift work).
- Too much screen time, especially before bed.
What about sleeping pills?
Sleeping pills are rarely prescribed today because they can be addictive and cause serious side effects. If they are prescribed, it’s usually for short-term use (a few days) and only for severe cases when other treatments have not worked.
For most people, improving sleep habits and addressing the root cause of insomnia leads to better long-term results.
