Research indicates that people who suffer with mental health conditions are far more likely to encounter problems with sleep, this can contribute to the onset of some disorders, while in turn the disorders can impact on the ability to sleep.
Having difficulty sleeping can lead to:
- Negative thoughts, depression or anxiety
- Feelings of loneliness and isolation
- Triggers for paranoia, mania, bi-polar disorder or psychotic episodes
These issues can, in turn, contribute towards a decline in mental health, creating a vicious cycle of sleep deficit. In some instances, experiencing problems with sleeping can indicate that mental health problems are on the horizon, so it’s important to notice the signs to prevent them from worsening.
So, how can you try to avoid getting into the vicious cycle in the first place?
Preparing yourself for sleep by carrying out evening rituals will help your brain get into sleep mode. Try to incorporate some of the following into your bedtime practice;
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Meditation. Using guided meditation apps such as Headspace or Insight Timer are great ways to practice mindfulness and get into a daily habit of relaxing the mind.
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Body scan. Take deep breaths and consciously relax each part of the body, starting with your toes and moving up to the head.
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Yoga. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials for anyone wanting a relaxing yoga routine before bed. Stretching the muscles helps to relax the mind and provide the brain with enough oxygen to rest.
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Aromatherapy. Putting a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow helps to calm the mind and relax the body.
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Play music. Listen to something relaxing to help you unwind as you drift off.
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Create a relaxing sleep environment. Spend time cleaning the area in which you sleep, install some soft nightlights on timers, put up black-out blinds and make sure the temperature is between 15 and 19 degrees Celsius.
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Invest in earplugs. If you find that you are easily disturbed by noise, pick up some silicon or wax earplugs from the pharmacy, or have them specially fitted by an optician.
Make sure you avoid sugar and caffeine before bed and avoid using any bright screens for up to 2 hours before you go to sleep. Using a sleep tracker or sleep monitoring system will provide you with vital information which can help when it comes to diagnosis.
If you would like to find out more about how REM-Fit sleep monitoring technology 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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