Get Enough Sleep
Anxiety and sleepless nights sadly go hand in hand. Sleep deprivation leads to a myriad of negative issues apart from anxiety. We don’t think clearly, our concentration and attention span suffer, and we lack the energy we need to get through the day. Getting enough sleep is vital for helping combat anxiety and for promoting good health in general. Sleep also plays an important role in the immune system.
We all need a good night’s sleep, but the length of that sleep varies from person to person. Medical practitioners and psychologists believe that adults should have between seven and nine hours sleep per night and they totally dismiss the often stated ‘fact’ that as we age, we need less sleep.
To develop a long lasting sleep pattern, develop a personalised bedtime routine:
• Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, including weekends
• No caffeine or alcohol late in the evening
• Steer clear on your phone, laptop and television for at least 30 minutes before you try to sleep – read a book or write in your journal
• Exercise during the day
• Practise deep breathing exercises during the day
• Keep your bedroom at a cool temperature, with no light and perhaps a sleep app playing in the background
