Benefits of a Good Nights Sleep

What are the benefits of sleep?

We all love to lie in, especially on a rainy winter morning.
Why do we need sleep at all?

Click below for info on why sleep is good for you:

Insomnia is defined as the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep or fall asleep again if sleep in interrupted.

Chronic insomnia is sleep disruption or inability to fall asleep, three or more nights per week for three or more consecutive months.

Sleep hygiene rules:

Always go to bed and wake-up at the same time including weekends. The brain is a big computer that doesn’t like it’s routine changed.
Alcohol, smoking, caffeine and some medication can interfere with sleep.
Artificial light from mobile phones and tablets can interfere with sleep by preventing the secretion of melatonin.
Don’t take work to bed with you – remember the brain is a computer that you’re programming for work-time and not sleep time.
No afternoon napping if you suffer from insomnia – see above about the brain being like a computer.
Anxiety and stress – obviously – cause insomnia; try to find ways of clearing your mind when trying to sleep. Meditation or focusing on a monotonous sound like white noise, can keep the brain from focusing on stressors.
Don’t toss and turn in bed – if it feels like you haven’t fallen asleep in about twenty minutes (and don’t watch the clock!!!), then you need to get out of bed. Try to find a way of relaxing and clearing the mind and try to sleep again only when tired.
Regular exercise benefits a good night’s sleep – but don’t exercise too late as the adrenaline may keep you awake.