GET BETTER SLEEP TO HELP YOU FEEL MORE POSITIVE

A new study has confirmed that not having enough shut-eye makes us feel more flat and unhappy. As that’s the last thing we need right now, Emma explains how to get better rested

The past few months have messed up most of our sleep patterns. I have gone to bed later and woken up later. With two teenage boys, it’s impossible to be in bed by 10pm due to their constant rumbling around.

MAKE A NEW SCHEDULE

The rule to any healthy habit is sticking to it, so that means deciding on a realistic bedtime. Experts believe you should get 7 to 8 hours sleep a night, so stick to a schedule that enables this. If, after 20 minutes, you haven’t nodded off, get up and listen to some relaxing music, or read a book until your eyelids get heavy and do this consistently as it reinforces your sleep-wake cycle. Having a bedtime ritual can help you to unwind, so half an hour before you intend to go to sleep, try some meditation, or breathing exercises and think about investing in aromatherapy diffusers, which help you relax and make your bedroom smell lovely. Listen to white noise apps, or nature sounds like rain, as it is thought we are born with a natural inclination towards the types of sounds we were exposed to during our nine months in the womb. Taking magnesium has also been evidenced to provide a better quality of sleep and is known to have relaxing qualities.

PREP FOR TOMORROW

If you’re a night-time worrier, focus on feeling prepped for the coming day before you go to bed. This organisation makes you feel in control and helps to ease those niggling anxieties that creep in. Get your outfit ready, write a list and timetable the tasks you need to complete and organise your lunch before bed each night.

CHECK YOUR MOOD

Finally, if you have found yourself completely out of whack with your sleeping habits, try not to worry too much. Life has been really strange of late and none of us have found the past few months easy to navigate. If you do however feel that you are suffering from severe insomnia, or simply haven’t the energy to get out of bed in the morning, then it is important to speak to your GP as this can be a symptom of anxiety or depression.