A GOOD
WELLBEING
Night’s Sleep The importance of a good night’s rest has often been underestimated, but as Lisa de Silva has discovered it’s essential to good health and our wellbeing
I
n our busy 24/7 world, sleep can sometimes feel like an inconvenience, but research now shows that the time we spend asleep is the most important part of our day. While sleep science is a relatively new discipline, it is fast uncovering that sleep is not just about physical recovery but also psychological recovery. In short, the evidence suggests that consistent levels of quality sleep are essential for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Despite this, the numbers of us suffering from insomnia seem to be on the increase. Recent research suggests that over a third of the UK population
struggle to get to sleep and stay asleep, at least once a week. What’s more, if you wake up in the morning and still feel tired it is more likely to be a sign of mental fatigue, indicating that you haven’t been switching off your mind properly. This type of mental fatigue can manifest as a lack of concentration and focus, low mood, and irritability.
Consistent levels of quality sleep are essential To improve the quality of our sleep, most experts recommend developing a Sleep Routine. We all have an individual body clock, that determines whether we are night owls, or morning larks and the trick is to regulate any routine to our sleeping, eating and exercise preferences.
October 2021 | SUSSEX LIVING 103
Oct21 Wellbeing- Sleep.indd 103
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