Sleep is key for overall health and wellbeing. Poor sleep is linked to a weakened immune system, anxiety, and depression, amongst other physical and mental problems. This is why it's so important to keep a healthy sleep schedule as well as getting good quality of sleep.
Around 1 in 4 adults have trouble getting enough sleep. Most people need 6-8 hours of sleep a night, however, the amount of sleep we need to feel refreshed the next day is as individual as the amount of food we need.
Sleep problems tend to develop over a long period, and it usually takes weeks or months of effort and practice to improve sleep.
The main problems people have with sleep are:
- Not being able to get to sleep
- Waking up in the night
- Having trouble getting back to sleep
- Waking in the early hours of the morning - this can be a symptom of anxiety and depression
The amount of quality of sleep you get can be affected by many things, including:
- How comfortable you are
- Light, sound, and temperature
- Being hungry or thirsty
- Anxiety and stress
- Physical illness or pain
- Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression
- Drug and alcohol consumption
- How much exercise you've had during the day
