WE'VE all had those mornings where we groan at the alarm clock and might be tempted to push the snooze button to give us just a few minutes longer in bed.
A poor night's sleep can leave us feeling irritable, sluggish and struggling to concentrate. It's common to have the odd day like this, especially in the summer where we might need a little time to adjust to the brighter mornings. However, if you feel like this regularly, you might be suffering from insomnia.
Insomnia is the difficulty getting to sleep, or staying asleep long enough to feel refreshed the next morning. This can include waking up several times throughout the night or early in the morning and being unable to go back to sleep, and feeling exhausted when getting up.
It's a common problem and affects roughly one in every three people in the UK. Occasional episodes of insomnia can come and go without causing any serious problems, but for some people it can last for months, or even years at a time.
Getting a good night's sleep and regular rest is much more important than many of us realise.
In order to function, we need a healthy and well-balanced diet, regular exercise and rest.
When we sleep, we're allowing our bodies to recover from the previous day. Poor sleep on a regular basis not only puts you at a greater risk of developing a serious medical condition such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, but it actually shortens your life expectancy.
If you think you might have insomnia, there are a few things you can do to tackle it and get a good night's sleep.
A poor night's sleep can leave us feeling irritable, sluggish and struggling to concentrate. It's common to have the odd day like this, especially in the summer where we might need a little time to adjust to the brighter mornings. However, if you feel like this regularly, you might be suffering from insomnia.
Insomnia is the difficulty getting to sleep, or staying asleep long enough to feel refreshed the next morning. This can include waking up several times throughout the night or early in the morning and being unable to go back to sleep, and feeling exhausted when getting up.
It's a common problem and affects roughly one in every three people in the UK. Occasional episodes of insomnia can come and go without causing any serious problems, but for some people it can last for months, or even years at a time.
Getting a good night's sleep and regular rest is much more important than many of us realise.
In order to function, we need a healthy and well-balanced diet, regular exercise and rest.
When we sleep, we're allowing our bodies to recover from the previous day. Poor sleep on a regular basis not only puts you at a greater risk of developing a serious medical condition such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, but it actually shortens your life expectancy.
If you think you might have insomnia, there are a few things you can do to tackle it and get a good night's sleep.
Routine: set regular times for going to bed and waking up.
No screens: give your eyes a rest and don't watch TV, use your mobile phone or tablet an hour before bed. The lights and programmes stimulate your eyes and brain.
Diet: Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and heavy meals a few hours before bed. All these things will keep your brain, digestive system and muscles working overtime.
Diary: If worrying is keeping you awake, try keeping a notepad and pen by your bed. Writing down your worries or to-do lists can actually clear your mind before you sleep.
Environment: Use thick or 'blackout' curtains/blinds, an eye mask and earplugs to prevent you from being woken by light and/or noise.
There are some mobile phone apps designed to help with sleep problems. Your local pharmacist may be able to provide some over-the-counter medication. If it remains a problem after a month or so, make an appointment to see your GP.
They will look into your medical history and review any medication you're taking which might be leading to insomnia. There may be some underlying issues such as anxiety which may be preventing you from sleeping.
More information on insomnia at www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/top-tips-to-get-a-good-night-s-sleep-from-swadlincote-gp/story-29414132-detail/story.html
No screens: give your eyes a rest and don't watch TV, use your mobile phone or tablet an hour before bed. The lights and programmes stimulate your eyes and brain.
Diet: Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and heavy meals a few hours before bed. All these things will keep your brain, digestive system and muscles working overtime.
Diary: If worrying is keeping you awake, try keeping a notepad and pen by your bed. Writing down your worries or to-do lists can actually clear your mind before you sleep.
Environment: Use thick or 'blackout' curtains/blinds, an eye mask and earplugs to prevent you from being woken by light and/or noise.
There are some mobile phone apps designed to help with sleep problems. Your local pharmacist may be able to provide some over-the-counter medication. If it remains a problem after a month or so, make an appointment to see your GP.
They will look into your medical history and review any medication you're taking which might be leading to insomnia. There may be some underlying issues such as anxiety which may be preventing you from sleeping.
More information on insomnia at www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/top-tips-to-get-a-good-night-s-sleep-from-swadlincote-gp/story-29414132-detail/story.html
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