Trouble sleeping? Understand sleep problems and improve your sleep.
26/04/2023
Nationally people are reporting either not having enough sleep or not sleeping at all. For example, 67% of UK adults have disrupted sleep and 31% reported that they have insomnia.[1] We took a quick look at what studies are telling us, Direct Line group[2] found that 14% of adults sleep dangerously in which they have less than 5 hours of sleep every night. This shows that restless nights are a relatively prevalent problem in adults. It should also be noted that 57% of people aged 17-23 struggled to sleep and 28.7% of 6 to 10 years old had trouble sleeping on three or more nights in a week [3]. The report showed that trouble in sleeping not only affecting the young people but can cause stress on their parents.
Therefore, below we will be introducing signs of sleeping problems, major types of sleep disorders, tips for having a better sleep and where to get support.
Every mind matter [4] shows signs of sleep problems.
- Find it difficult to sleep or take a long time to fall asleep.
- Waking up several times during the night.
- Waking up early and could not get back to sleep.
- Have a lower mood and find it difficult to concentrate.
- More irritable than usual as well.
Usually, sleep problems resolve themselves. However, if you are regularly having problems in sleeping and affect your daily life, it is recommended to consult a GP.
- Insomnia: Difficulty to fall asleep or stay awake during the night.
- Sleep apnoea: Creates irregular breathing during the night which may influence your quality of sleep.
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS): Also referred as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a common neural system disorder that results in an uncontrollable urge to move the legs.
- Narcolepsy: Unable to maintain regular sleeping and waking pattern, which can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and falling asleep unexpectedly.
Make an appointment with your GP if you think you might have one of the conditions.
NHS provides some great tips to improve your sleep[9]
A good sleep hygiene can improve your sleep. Sleep hygiene means the healthy sleeping habits that can help your sleep.
- Keep regular sleep hours every day.
- Creating a restful environment (e.g., quiet, dark and comfortable temperature).
- Regular exercise promotes better sleeping quality.
- Write down your worries can help ease your mind.
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake close to bedtime.
Get support.
A GP will do the initial consultation and may referred to a sleep clinic for tests.
To access more information and advice you can contact the national sleep helpline 03303 530 541 and get more resources from the Sleep Charity[10] .
We hope that this blog will help you to understand more about sleep problems and provide the support you need for these conditions.
References:
Recent
Understanding Women’s Reproductive Health: A Call to Share your Experiences
Women’s reproductive health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, impacting not only individuals but also families, communities, and society at large. In the UK, 51% of the population and 47% of workers are women, underlining the significance of addressing their diverse health needs. For...
Enhancing social care access for the South Asian community: Report released
Accessing social care services is crucial for ensuring the well-being and quality of life of individuals across communities. However, for the South-Asian community in Barking and Dagenham, navigating these services can present unique challenges related to culture, language, and religious beliefs...
Lifeline House
25 Neville Road
Dagenham, Essex RM8 3QS
