Health and Wellbeing - Sleep

'It is well-known that sleep problems can be a key sign of depression. What people may not realise is that the reverse is also true - sleep disorders can actually trigger mood disorders and depression. As researchers learn more about the underlying cyclical connection between sleep and our mental health, the important balance is becoming even more apparent.'
 
www.bettersleep.org/emotional-well-being.asp
 
'Sleep has both physical and mental benefits. Physically it is the time when the body can renew its energy store, but sleep also helps us to rebuild our mental energy.
 
Sleep is not just 'time out' from our busy routine. Most of us need to sleep well to help our bodies recover from the day, and to allow healing to take place. But with increasingly busy lives, it's estimated that we now sleep around 90 minutes less each night than we did in the 1920's. If you add to this the large numbers who are known to have problems sleeping, it's obvious that many people are now functioning in a permanently sleep-deprived state.
 
Lack of sleep can make us feel physically unwell as well as stressed and anxious, and scientists also believe that it contributes to heart disease, premature ageing and death on the roads.'
 
The Mental Health Foundation has some suggestions on how you can improve your sleep:

• Exercise regularly, but at least three hours before bedtime.
• Avoid tea and coffee and don't drink a lot of alcohol before bed.
• Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day.
• Don't use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex. Your bed should be associated with sleep.
• Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine which lets you unwind and sends a signal to your brain that it's time to sleep.
• If you can't sleep, don't worry about it, but get up and do something relaxing like listening to music or reading until you feel sleepy.

The Mental Health Foundation - www.mentalhealth.org.uk
 
Podcasts for sleep and wellbeing can also be found at this site along with further information on the importance of sleep for you and your family. The website also has links to other organisations that offer information on difficulties sleeping.