Everyone needs a sufficient amount of sleep in order to keep our body and mind healthy. In fact, we need a certain amount of sleep to keep us alive! In the short term, being sleep deprived may not affect us too much, yet over time a lack of sleep can have detrimental effects on our physical and mental health, and also our relationships with others.
Sleep disturbance may mean a lack of sleep, broken sleep, nightmares or a medical condition, or a combination of all of these. Sleep disturbance can be caused by a wide range of factors that vary depending on the person and their context. Some examples include drinking large amounts of fluid too close to bedtime, not having a set bed time routine, being too hot or too cold whilst in bed, and the effects of drugs and alcohol.
Not having enough sleep can lead us to feel anxious, irritable, stressed and generally lethargic. People with sleep disturbance may also have difficulty concentrating on everyday tasks.
Consulting one of our trained Clinical Psychologists about your sleep pattern is such a positive step to make sure you are feeling refreshed each day, and ensure you are getting the right amount of sleep. We can then help you develop ways to deal with anything stopping you from getting a good night’s sleep (even if it’s kids hopping into your bed in the middle of the night).
Are you sick of watching the clock every time your head hits the pillow? What would life be like if you were able to sleep right through the night?