Sleep

How did you sleep? Did you get the golden 8 hours or did you find yourself tossing and turning, seeing every hour on your alarm clock?

Did you know that the amount of sleep you need depends on your age?

The Royal College of Psychiatrists say the following:

Babies sleep for about 17 hours each day, older children need only 9 or 10 hours each night however most adults need around 8 hours each night. Even so we are all different, and while most of us need 8 hours, some (but few) can get by with only 3 hours each night.

The occasional night without sleep will make you feel tired the next day, but it won’t affect your health.

However, after several sleepless nights, you will start to find that you:

  • feel tired all the time
  • drop off during the day
  • find it difficult to concentrate
  • find it hard to make decisions
  • start to feel depressed
  • start to worry about not being able to sleep.

Lack of sleep can be caused by a number of factors

There are many reasons for not sleeping well:

  • the bedroom may be too noisy, too hot or too cold
  • the bed may be uncomfortable or too small
  • you don't have a regular sleep routine
  • you partner has a different pattern of sleep from you
  • you aren't getting enough exercise
  • you eat too late - and find it hard to get off to sleep
  • you go to bed hungry - and wake up too early
  • cigarettes, alcohol and drinks containing caffeine, such as tea and coffee
  • illness, pain or a high temperature.

More serious reasons include:

  • emotional problems
  • difficulties at work
  • anxiety and worry
  • depression - you wake very early and can't get back to sleep
  • thinking over and over about problems - usually without getting anywhere with them
  • physical problems
  • medications

So, the big question is how do I get a good night’s sleep?

Mentalhealth.org.uk have produced a guide to help you get a better night’s sleep