Sleep Management

If you’re deprived of sleep, you’ll find it hard to function throughout the day – your energy levels will slump, you won’t be able to concentrate, and you’ll feel grumpy and moody.

If this continues, you could risk the health of your immune system, putting you at risk of infections and diseases. The good news is that there’s plenty you can do to help you get a good night’s sleep.

What can you do to help you sleep?

“Sleep hygiene” is a term health experts use to describe a healthy sleeping routine. You can improve your sleep hygiene by:

• going to bed at about the same time each night, and getting up at about the same time each day.
• Creating a relaxing environment – get the TV and computer out of your bedroom, and try to make sure your bedroom is neither too warm or too cold.
• Starting to unwind before bed – drink some comforting warm milk 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime, have a relaxing bath with a few drops of lavender oil, don’t work or watch TV just before you turn in for the night.
• Avoiding overloading your system – don’t eat a heavy meal shortly before bedtime.
• Limiting stimulants – enjoy your coffee, sure, but try to limit your caffeine intake to the mornings.
• Trying a traditional herbal supplement containing a mildly sedating herb, such as valerian, hops or zizyphus, that may help to calm your mind and help you to fall asleep – and sleep through the night.