A good night’s sleep is important to rest and repair your mind and body.
If your mood is low, you are more stressed than usual or there has been a change in your ability to manage day to day tasks, this may be down to your quality of sleep.
The NHS says that healthy adults usually need around 7 to 9 hours of sleep. However, this can vary from person to person.
There are some key signs that you are not getting enough sleep:
- If you find it difficult to fall asleep
- If you lie awake for long periods at night
- If you wake up several times during the night
- If you wake up early and be unable to get back to sleep
- If you feel down or have a lower mood
- If you have difficulty concentrating
- If you are more irritable than usual.
The good news is, there are simple things you can do to help improve your sleep. These include:
- Having a regular sleep routine
- Cutting down on alcohol
- Avoid using electronic devises like your mobile phone before bed
- Avoid sugary foods before bed
- Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and cool
Visit our sleep well page for more sleep advice and tips.
We also have some advice for people going through perimenopause and those with young children whose sleep might be affected.
Our Make Monday Matter series is all about making small changes that can benefit your health and wellbeing over time. Good quality sleep will benefit you in more ways than one.
Get involved with our #MakeMondayMatter movement by following our socials and let us know how you are getting on to #SleepWell. You’ll find us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
