Are you getting enough sleep?
Get a better night’s sleep, with these tips from AXA Health
We’ve all had those nights where we’ve been tossing, turning and struggling to just drift off to sleep. If this happens regularly it can have a detrimental effect on your health1. As it is World Sleep Day on March 12, we caught up with AXA Health to find out the top tips for getting a better night’s sleep. PLUS, Axa Health is offering a free £100 M&S gift card* when you join its health insurance plan.
Top tips for a better night’s sleep
Sleep is essential for good health. You probably already know that when you sleep well you feel and work better. It’s also really important for your mental wellbeing. A good night’s sleep won’t rid your life of emotional problems, but it can help you to deal with difficult or stressful situations more easily. In general, adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep but the exact amount varies from person to person, and is likely to change over time. So how can you improve your sleep?
Stay active during the day – Getting regular exercise during the day will help you to feel tired at night. Being active increases your metabolism and helps reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn will improve your sleep. Develop a bedtime ritual – Try to develop a relaxing night-time routine that prepares your body and mind for sleep. It could be taking a hot bath, reading a book, listening to calming music or having a milky drink. Also try to stay away from bright lights and heated arguments just before bedtime. Watch what you eat and drink – Avoid having a heavy or spicy meal just before going to bed. Your body needs time to digest the food, but equally don’t go to bed hungry: a light snack before bedtime is ideal. Try to avoid caffeine after lunchtime as it’s a stimulant that can stay in your system for longer than six hours and disrupt your sleep.
Don’t toss and turn – If you can’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get up and do something else. Try something relaxing like reading or listening to music. Only go back to bed when you feel tired. Similarly, if you find you’re dozing off on the sofa too early in the evening, get up and do a few household chores so that you save your snoozing for bedtime. Seek professional help – If your sleep problems persist, don’t suffer in silence. Cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBTi) can be very effective in helping people who have long term or severe sleep problems.
How could an AXA Health plan support me?
You’ll have access to our health information line, with nurses and counsellors available 24/7 to answer any questions and provide support whenever you need us. So, if you’ve got something on your mind and need to talk to someone about it, we’re only a phone call away. We want to help you to be the best version of yourself, whatever that means to you. We’ll help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need, with access to more than 250 hospitals within our Directory of Hospitals, and more than 36,500 recognised consultants and other practitioners. We’ll cover you for the treatment of new medical conditions that start after you join. We also have a range of optional cover which you can add to your plan, so you can tailor it to suit your needs.
How to get a quote?
To find out more, give our team a call on 0800 022 4477^, or visit mailfinance.co.uk/ healthinsurance to get a quick quote. Don’t forget, you also get a free £100 M&S gift card when you join*.