Getting a good night's sleep is one of my favourite subjects, in fact at the Yes Group Norwich talk I did way back in January, I inadvertently turned it into a Stand-up Comedy act. But there is a very serious side that we just don't pay enough attention too. Lack of sleep in the short-term will lead to mood swings, lack of concentration, mistakes, lack of energy, headaches, general fuzziness and poor decision making, to name a few. In the long-term, it's a big risk factor in many major diseases, from Type 2 Diabetes to heart conditions, to many cancers. Basically, we need to give our body and brain a chance to rejuvenate and recharge. Generally, we all (adults) need around 7-9 hours. I challenge anyone who says they need less. You might get less and think you are OK, but you are not, trust me.
But enough of the science lesson. What I want to talk about today is the inevitable disruption we all had in our sleep during the early part of the pandemic. With increased stress, anxiety and uncertainty and a big change in most people's routines, it's no surprise we all suffered. Even The Sun is reporting on How American's lost sleep.
How has your sleep been lately?
But personally, I noticed how well I've been sleeping lately. I wondered how you were feeling? Are you getting a better night's sleep than you did? I've asked a few clients and colleagues and generally to consensus is the same. It's like our body and minds are playing catch-up. We need it, and when we do, mother nature has the amazing ability to make things happen.
If you are still struggling to get a good nights sleep, then all is not lost. Try these simple sleep routine and good habits to try to get back on track from Matthew Walker, first published at fastlifehacks.com (He's a pretty big deal in the sleep world).
1. Stick to a sleep schedule
We should aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. People generally have a hard time adjusting to changes in sleep patterns. Unfortunately sleeping late on weekends doesn’t make up for poor sleep during the week. If necessary, set an alarm for bedtime. Matthew emphasizes this is the #1 priority from the list; stick to a regular sleep schedule.
2. Don’t exercise too late in the day
Exercise is great, and we should try to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days. But try to time it no later than 2-3 hours before bed.
3. Avoid caffeine & nicotine
Colas, coffee, teas (that aren’t herbal) and chocolate contain caffeine, which is a stimulant. Even consuming these in the afternoon can have an effect on your sleep. Nicotine is also a mild stimulant, and smokers will often wake up earlier than they would otherwise, due to nicotine withdrawal.
4. Avoid alcoholic drinks before bed
The presence of alcohol in the body can reduce your REM sleep, keeping you in the lighter stages of sleep.
5. Avoid large meals and beverages late at night
A lights snack before bed is okay, but a heavy meal can cause digestive issues, which interferes with sleep. Drinking too many fluids can cause frequent awakenings to urinate.
6. Avoid medicines that delay or disrupt your sleep (where possible)
Some commonly prescribed heart, blood pressure or asthma medications, as well as some over the counter and herbal medicines for coughs colds or allergies, can disrupt sleep patterns. If you have trouble sleeping, it may be worth speaking to your doctor or pharmacist to see if any of the drugs you’re taking may be contributing to this. It may be possible to take them earlier in the day.
7. Don’t nap after 3 pm
Naps are great, but taking them too late in the day can make it hard to fall asleep at night.
8. Make sure to leave time to relax before bed
It’s important to have time before bed to unwind. Try to schedule your days so that there is time to relax before bed.
9. Take a hot bath before bed
The drop in body temperature after a bath may help you to feel sleepy, and the bath can help you to slow down and relax before bed.
10. Have a dark, cool (in temperature), gadget-free bedroom
We sleep better at night if the temperature in the room is kept on the cool side. Gadgets such as mobile phones and computers can be a distraction. Additionally, the light they emit, especially the blue light, suppresses the secretion of melatonin. Melatonin being a hormone that regulates sleep/wake cycles – with it increasing in the evening to induce sleep. There are things we can do to reduce the blue light at night:
A comfortable mattress and pillow can set you up for a good sleep. Those with insomnia will often watch the clock, turn it away from view so you don’t have to worry about the time while trying to sleep. Use these tips to optimize your sleeping space.
11. Get the right sunlight exposure
Sun exposure during the day helps us to regulate sleeping patterns. Try to get outside in the natural sunlight for at least 30 minutes per day.
12. Don’t stay in bed if you (really) can’t sleep
If you find yourself still in bed for more than 20 minutes, or you’re starting to get anxious in bed, get up and do something else until you feel sleepy. Anxiety whilst trying to sleep can make it harder to fall asleep
So if you are sleeping better, please let us know, if not, maybe some of these tips from Matthew will help.
Ian Hacon
Chief Energy Officer
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