It’s now been a year since the initial lockdown started – and what a year it’s been. From working at home and cancelling holidays to social isolation and economic uncertainty, it’s safe to say that the last year has taken its toll on most of us.
So, it’s no surprise to discover that lockdown has also had an impact on our sleep patterns. While research on the lasting effects of lockdown is still underway, initial findings suggest that there are actually some positive side effects that have come about from lockdown.
The first thing to note is that there are many people who have experienced an increase in sleep since lockdown started. One study documented the sleep patterns of 139 university students before and after their classes went online. Prior to lockdown, it was found that an average of 84% of the students managed to get 7 or more hours of sleep a night, this rose to 92% after lockdown was implemented.
If you have noticed an increase in sleep since the beginning of lockdown, it might be worth asking yourself whether it is because you were actually sleep deprived before. If so, look to make changes in those areas of your life so that you can maintain a good sleep routine when “things go back to normal”.
However, while an increase in sleep has been noted in a number of studies on adults during lockdown, that is not the case for everyone. In fact, there is some evidence to suggest that many people have actually suffered with sleep deprivation since it began. It is worth noting that the first study was on university students, who arguably have less responsibility during the day than a working parent who is also trying to home school, so it would be much easier for them to unwind and rest at night compared with someone who is experiencing an enormous amount of stress.
So, while an increase in sleep is generally a great thing for those who have experienced it, those who have not managed to get much sleep are most certainly not alone. There are a number of ways to reduce the impact of stress on sleep, such as meditation, good sleep hygiene, nightly routines, reducing screen time and limiting alcohol. Identify ways that you can help your body to get the rest it needs as this will enable you to manage stress and pressure much more effectively.
If you would like to find out more about how a REM-Fit Mattress, REM-Fit Sleep Monitoring technology or REM-Fit Pillows can help you to get a better night’s rest, please get in touch with our experienced, knowledgeable staff by calling 020 8731 0020 or email us via sales@rem-fit.co.uk.
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