Sleep
Sleep problems
The lack of a good night's sleep may impact on your ability to concentrate and make decisions.
You may become irritable and feel tired. In many cases, sleep problems relate to problems in the day-to-day life such as stress, depression, anger or anxiety.
Most adults need an average of seven hours’ sleep per night, and you should make sure to establish good sleep habits, so that you get the sleep you need.
If you have trouble falling asleep:
- Sleeping problems are common and not dangerous
- If you have lain awake more than 20 minutes in your bed, get up and go into another room Do not return to your bed unless you are sleepy
- It may take weeks to work up good sleeping habits, so be patient
- Remember that the older you get, the less sleep you need
Better sleeping habits
At night, before you go to bed:
- Think through your day and close any ”unresolved issues”
- Exercise gently before you go to bed. Try generally to stay in shape - but do not exercise wildly in the hours up to your bedtime
- Do not doze off or sleep in the couch - sleep only in your bed
- Do not drink too much coffee or tea before bedtime and do not use alcohol to fall asleep
- Do not go to bed, unless you are tired
- Do not read or watch TV in your bedroom
- Relax when you lay down, and do not try to force sleep - you will fall asleep in time
- Get up at the same time every morning throughout the week, and go to bed the same time every night
- Avoid taking a nap around noon
If you have trouble sleeping, contact your GP. Sleeping medicine may help for short periods of time, but many drugs are addictive, so you would benefit from avoiding them.