MY 5 TOP TIPS FOR SLEEP

WHY DO WE NEED SLEEP?

Sleep has a direct affect on our lives in many different ways and not sleeping well is a common sentence I hear from clients so I hope these tips will help you feel more rested. We need sleep to repair muscles, regulate hormones and complete key mental-processes needed for memory and overall emotional well-being.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE POOR SLEEP?

- A weaker immune system

- Hormone imbalance

- Difficulty focusing

- Slower response time

- Memory problems

- Mood changes (probs a bit grumpy or emotional)

MY 5 TOP TIPS FOR A BETTER NIGHTS SLEEP

1. Get natural light first thing when you wake up, this regulates your circadian rhythm by telling your body when to increase and decrease your melatonin levels. By having this light first thing in the morning you're basically resetting your "sleep clock" and this can help you sleep at night! Try to get outside first thing and also not let your phone be your first light of the day.

2. Switch off your tech (tv, phone, laptop etc.) at least 30 minutes, if possible 60 minutes before bed. This is because these devices will stimulate your brain and delay your sleep. This is definitely one I am trying to work on, but being aware of this and making this change will really benefit your sleep quality!

3. Have a solid night time routine. Try to set yourself a time for bed that allows 7-9 hours of sleep and try to wind down prior to this. I like to do a thorough skin care regime and turn my neom diffuser on to help me unwind after a busy day! Other ideas include: reading, journalling, taking a bath basically anything calming!

4. Practising a relaxation technique can really help with finding your zen when it comes to sleep. Try meditation, deep breathing and muscle relaxation to help you release any stress or tension from your body. This will help your mind and body relax and help to remove all those busy thoughts that fill our minds and help you feel ready for sleep.

5. Try to avoid stimulants any later than early afternoon eg- caffeine, these can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and a lack of sufficient time in each stage of sleep. You might fall asleep well, but you may not stay asleep as well!

I hope you find these tips useful and can try to apply some of these to your daily routines to get the most out of your nights sleep!