National Bed Month
As British Summertime begins on Sunday 29th March, the clocks go forward and we get one less hour in bed. The Healthy Minds Team want to give you the necessary sleep well advice.
Lack of sleep is one of the most common 21st century health complaints; 1 in 5 people suffer from lack of sleep. Results of a new Sleep Council survey show more than one in four of us are finding it harder to sleep now than we did 12 months ago because of the effects of the recession. The Sleep Council have produced sleep advice – sleep tips for different groups, shift workers, teenagers, clubbers and the over 50’s. Also, they have produced several videos detailing sleep tips and bed buying tips, which are available on their website; www.sleepcouncil.com
Research indicates that shift work can impact on sleep patterns. In this 24/7 society, the demand is increasing for workers to do shifts, because technology never sleeps.
There are a few simple rules, which can help improve your sleep. In summary, these are:
- Do go to bed and get up at a regular time.
- Do have a bedtime routine and wind down before
bedtime.
- Do get up if you are worrying, or are not asleep
after 30 minutes, and do something relaxing.
- Do exercise regularly, but not in the late evening.
- Do remember that sleep changes throughout our
life cycle and that lack of sleep won’t harm us.
- Do make sure your bed and bedroom are
comfortable, for example, noise, temperature, light,
etc.
- Do check whether any medicines you are taking
may be affecting your sleep.- Don’t worry about not getting enough sleep.
- Don’t lie in bed worrying about other problems.
- Don’t use your bed for things other than sleep.
- Don’t eat or drink caffeine close to bedtime, and cut
down during the day.
- Don’t smoke close to bedtime.
- Don’t drink alcohol close to bedtime.
- Don’t go to bed until you feel sleepy.
- Don’t take naps during the day.
- Don’t stay in bed longer to catch up on lost sleep.
Competition: Win a Brand New Bed! to find out more visit the health minds web site
