Having trouble sleeping?

Sleep is an essential component of a healthy life, and a lack of good quality sleep can contribute to myriad health problems like weight gain, heart disease, and poor mental health.

However, having trouble with sleep is a common complaint and even has its own acronym – TATT (Tired All The Time).

There are many reasons why you might struggle to get a good night’s rest, such as drinking alcohol, caffeine, or taking too much (or too little) exercise.

Stress and anxiety can make you listless too – are you experiencing these, and can you identify and address the causes?

Establishing good sleep habits, or “sleep hygiene” as it’s sometimes called, is a great way to set yourself up for success. This includes things like limiting daytime naps to no longer than 30 minutes, keeping regular sleeping hours, and avoiding the use of smart devices - and therefore the light they emit - before bed.

It’s said the optimum temperature for sleep is between 18ºC – 24ºC, and it may be worth investing in thick or blackout curtains if light tends to trouble you.

Similarly, experts say the strong psychological association between the bedroom and sleeping can be weakened by distractions in the room like television. Instead, consider keeping the bedroom solely for sleep and sex.

There’s also a common misconception that you can “store” or “catch up” on sleep – what’s much better is to consistently have six to nine solid hours a night.

Our bodies have in-built circadian rhythms and we really are creatures who thrive on habit. Weekend lie-ins won’t make up for poor sleep during the week.

If you have been feeling tired for over a month and don’t know why, speak to your GP for advice and to rule out anaemia or an underactive thyroid.

Although doctors can prescribe medicines to help you sleep, these should not be taken in the long term as some of them can be addictive and do not always provide restful sleep.