SLEEP. HOW TO COPE AND SWITCH OFF.

I am not sure about you but I love my sleep so not being able to get any is painful. I am left feeling short-changed by the universe. We all know sleep is a vital part of our daily routine to function properly. It is equally as important as eating and drinking. Most recently, research suggests that sleep helps to calm our minds – it helps to remove toxins in your brain that is built up during the day. Sleep is important to a number of brain functions, including how nerve cells (neurons) communicate with each other. A chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. We all need sleep to recharge out batteries and allow our minds and bodies to rest – especially if they are on over-drive for most of the day with negative thought cycles. The amount of sleep we all need varies from toddlers to adults. Nobody can say exactly the number of hours each of us need. Our sleep patterns change throughout our lives depending on outside factors.

Not being able to sleep is a symptom of depression but then so is oversleeping. A little like over-eating and a complete loss of appetite. I wish it made more sense. We all know there is a link between mental health and sleep and the more we think about it the worse it gets. Medication can also affect your sleep so you go running back to your doctor crying that you cannot sleep and they prescribe you sleeping tablets. I still have the sleeping tablets. I tried all of these things instead.

SLEEP APPS: I have downloaded every app going. Starting with the ‘Headspace’ app – full of sleepcasts, wind downs, breathing exercises, sleep music, sleep stories, meditations, live meditations and just a variety of things. The next app I use is ‘Calm’ – similar to headspace, there are meditations on there, soothing sounds, self-care, calming music and exclusive classes from world-renowned mindfulness experts. All very interesting. Lots about sleep. Useful tips. ‘Sleepiest’ and ‘Sleepio’ are two of the other app I use. Full of sounds and meditations. Now these apps are great but does not always work for everyone. The ‘Headspace’ app was one that my GP suggested downloading so it was the first sleep app on my phone, ever. Now I have a family of them battling for my attention. ‘INSIGHT TIMER’ is also another good app to use.

LAVENDER AND TEA: I walked into Holland and Barret (When we were all able to leave the house) and was greeting by a lovely member of their staff, I just said, ‘I can’t sleep’ he joked about having kids and something other before pointing me in the right direction and choosing a handful of things. First, I got their soothing pure lavender oil. I use their ‘Sleep Therapy’ lavender spray on my pillow and bed sheets. A selection of natural teas – which I believe do work, they help me sleep whenever I have had a cup before bed. I also have a set of aromatherapy pulse point rollers – I use them on my wrists and if you cannot sleep you can put them along your arms.

BATHS: Use a few drops of lavender oil and aromatherapy bath salts in your bath to help relax your body and muscles before bed. A bath always helps with sleep. Just lay there and play one of the podcasts from the app or just relaxing rain sounds.

MEDITATION: You do not need to sit there for hours meditating before bed, you can mediate however you wish, mediate laying down with your eyes closed. Listen to one of the 2 minute meditation exercises or some soothing music. Work on your breathing.

MUSIC: Throw on your headphone and just play your favourite songs if you are not so keen on using the apps or ‘zen music’.

ATMOSPHERE: Your sleep space needs to be somewhere you feel relaxed and calm. No mess and clutter *she types staring at the pile of clothes in her room*. I like to collect plants. I love plants and nature so when you walk into my room you may feel like you have entered into a mini forest. Some real and most artificial, why is keeping plants alive so hard? If you have any tips for me comment below please. Greenery. I like neutral tones. I pour a few drops of the lavender oil into a bowl and leave it on my bedside table, it helps with sleep and your room ends up smelling like a spa.

WRITING AND READING: If you care tossing and turning – get up and write something or read. I often end of writing on ‘notes’ on my phone. Poems, feelings, short stories…. Anything you like.

I hope this is useful to know and read. If you have any tips then I would love to hear them. Please leave me a comment below. 🙂