POOR SLEEP - MYTH BUSTERS

BEING WARM A NICE WARM COMFY ROOM Turning up the heat to relax you is great as there is no chance of getting to sleep if you are freezing cold, but they say the perfect room temperature for quality sleep is 18 degrees.

WATCHING TELLY TV WILL PUT ME TO SLEEP Electronic stimulation- TV, computer, phones. All these devices keep your brain stimulated making it harder to relax. Many of us can fall asleep watching TV or at the movies because we do become relaxed, but the quality of sleep is poor as it’s often very light sleep and interrupted.

ALCOHOL A FEW DRINKS AND I WILL DRIFT OFF TO SLEEP Alcohol is great for getting you to sleep but bad for deep sleep. Alcohol actually disrupts the triggers that provide the really deep sleep we require. Not to mention if you have a few too many the countless trips to the toilet.

WORKING OUT EXERCISE WILL WEAR ME OUT Yes it will, hours after it’s done. Your body needs a few hours to wind down after exercise.

FOOD EATING BEFORE BED Turning up the heat to relax you is great as there is no chance of getting to sleep if you are freezing cold, but they say the perfect room temperature for quality sleep is 18 degrees.

WORRY I WILL GO TO SLEEP AND MY WORRIES WILL GO AWAY. Wrong, people who take worries to bed tend to stay up thinking of their problems, and often start thinking up worse scenarios. Even if you get to sleep the quality is often poor as although you are asleep you may be thinking or dreaming of this worrying thoughts. Write down any worries before bed, and tell yourself you will deal with these tomorrow. May sound like a crock, but give it a try.

SQUEEZE A LITTLE HEALTHY INTO YOUR DAY