Why is sleep important? Because getting a good night’s sleep has been linked to many, many health benefits. In comparison, sleep deprivation has also been associated with many negative effects, on both our physical and mental health. In this blog, Dr Lindsay Browning explains why sleep is important. She explores the benefits and helps us to understand why it is important to prioritize, just like health eating and regular exercise. Is sleep important? Sleep is a vital pillar of health. To be healthy and happy people should prioritise eating well, moving regularly (exercise), as well as getting ..read more

On Sunday 31st March 2024, the clocks will be going forward by one hour. This means there is one less hour in bed …however, it does signify the start of British Summer Time (BST). An hour less at night already doesn’t sound like a good thing, does it?! But what does the loss of the hour mean for our sleep and how will the clocks going forward affect our circadian rhythm? In this blog, Dr Lindsay Browning explores what the clocks changing means for your body, your sleep and how to cope with losing that precious hour. How will the clocks going forward affect our sleep? In 2024, the clock will go ..read more

Do you do shift work or support employees who do so for your company or organisation? Sleep is vitally important for good health, as well as safety, for shift workers. However, it can be difficult to get enough sleep when working shifts, adapting our circadian rhythm and living in a world that is more geared to a traditional ‘9-5’. In this introductory blog, Dr Lindsay Browning explores sleep and shift work, answering some common questions about how to get more sleep (and why!) for shift workers. Why is getting enough sleep important for shift workers? There are many reasons why sleep is impor ..read more

How much attention do you pay to your circadian rhythm? Do you ensure that you are in sync so that you can sleep well regularly? Do you prioritise sleep to support your physical and mental health? In this blog, Dr Lindsay Browning explores the topic of sleep and wellbeing and looks at how sleeping in tune with our circadian rhythm affects both our physical and mental health. Sleep and Wellbeing – maintaining a regular circadian rhythm Regular sleep which is good quality is important for our health and wellbeing. Maintaining a good sleep schedule starts with maintaining our regular circadian rh ..read more

Did you know that alcohol affects sleep? Whilst, alcohol is a sedative and can make it easier to fall asleep, the quality of your sleep will be worse and it is likely the alcohol will disrupt you, during the night. This means that the sleep you do get may not be as restorative as alcohol-free sleep. In this blog post, Dr Lindsay Browning answers some frequently asked questions to help you understand more about the effects of alcohol on sleep. FAQs about how alcohol affects your sleep – answered How does alcohol affect our sleep? Alcohol affects our sleep. When we drink too much, it helps us to ..read more

If you feel you are sleeping poorly then it is best to tackle this as soon as possible. Some small adjustments can make a big difference and help you to get a good night’s sleep In this blog, Dr Lindsay Browning shares a whole range of tips that you can try. Select as many as you wish and find out which ones work best for you. Enjoy better quality sleep now. 15 ways to help you get a good night’s sleep Things to do in the day to help you get a good night’s sleep Limit your intake of caffeine Caffeine is a stimulant can stay in your system for up to 8 hours. Be very mindful of how long before ..read more

Do you know what ‘sleep drive’ is? Put simply it is how sleepy or not you are feeling. A high sleep drive means you feel very tired and want to sleep, whilst a low sleep drive means you would find it difficult to sleep, and should feel awake and alert instead. In this blog, Dr Lindsay Browning explains more about what sleep drive is, what effects sleep drive and how to ensure sleep drive is high, at the times when you need to go to sleep. Sleep drive explained Your sleep drive works in a similar way to hunger. You will feel increasingly hungry as the time passes since you last ate. Then, once ..read more

People naturally have a ‘preferred’ sleep position, but are all sleep positions equal? Are there pros or cons to any particular sleep position, and if so, what do we need to consider. When we are asleep, it may feel like we have little control over the position we choose, but it is worth considering if consciously trying a different position may be beneficial, and to share this with a bed partner if their position is perhaps causing sleeping disturbances, such a snoring. In this blog, Dr Lindsay Browning discusses the topic of the ‘best’ sleep position and the considerations for the common one ..read more

To nap or not to nap – that is the question? Napping can be beneficial but it can also be disruptive to our sleep patterns. In the blog, Dr Lindsay Browning explores some frequently asked questions about the pros and cons of taking a nap, as well as when and where to nap, as well. Is it ok to take a nap during the day? If you are someone that simply cannot get enough sleep at night, due to being busy, or if you are a shift worker, having a nap can help.  Getting a nap right isn’t necessarily the easiest thing to do, and sneaking in a sleep during the day can have its d ..read more

On Sunday the 29th of October 2023 the clocks go back by one hour, bringing with it a whole extra hour in bed! British Summer Time (BST) will end and we return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). At 2 am, the clocks go back to 1 am again, giving us that extra hour in bed. An extra hour sounds good…but how will it affect you and your sleep? Dr Lindsay Browning explore what the clocks changing means for your body. Why do the clocks change in October? The reason for this clock change is so that the mornings are lighter. Historically, this was implemented to help protect children, who may be walking to ..read more