The secret to a good night’s sleep
The best thing you can do for your mental health is sleep well
There's a close relationship between sleep and mental health. Suffering from stress and anxiety can affect how well you sleep, and poor sleep can have a negative impact on your mental health.
Now, in the midst of a mental health crisis the need to get good quality sleep has never been more vital. The World Health Organisation reports that the impact of COVID-19, conflict in Europe and the economic downturn has led to a 25% rise in anxiety and depressive disorders among the world population.
The sign of how poor sleep affects your mental health can include low mood, anxiety, erratic behaviour, impaired concentration and memory loss and other symptoms.
With mental health awareness very much in focus this month, prioritising a deep and natural sleep is as important as ever. We’ve teamed up with Sleep Well whose mission is to help the world get a better night’s sleep. Their top tips and blogs from Sleep Expert, Christabel Majendie, highlight the many ways you can improve your chances of drifting off when you find yourself struggling to sleep.
For example, University of Oxford Sleep Research offers found that if you’re finding it difficult to get to sleep, don’t just lie there worrying. Instead, get up for a few minutes, drink (not caffeine), and go back to bed when you’re feeling a bit sleepier.
Look into calming measures like meditation. Learning how to relax your body and mind instead will help you get to sleep much more easily. Also keeping a notepad by your bed is useful for getting what’s on your mind, in the middle of the night, down on paper and out of your head.
Another way to rediscover quality sleep is to try a natural remedy like valerian. It’s the herb that’s been helping people relax and sleep for more than 2,000 years and it’s a key ingredient in Sleep Well’s range of relaxing drinks. By simply adding Sleep Well to your bedtime routine you can help improve your sleep and therefore your mental health.
Sleep Well drinks are available in vanilla and chocolate milk flavours or try the tasty vegan, dairy free oat drink. Found in store at Holland & Barrett and Booths nationwide or purchase at sleepwelldrinks.com. Connect with Sleep Well on Facebook and Instagram.
If you are having problems with sleep, you can always speak to a trained sleep advisor on the National Sleep helpline on 03303 530 541. They will listen without judgement and help you decide what next steps are right for you.
