Founded in 1986, the remit of M.A.S. is to provide professional advice and information over the telephone on all aspects of medical and healthcare matters.

Insomnia or inability to sleep is something that most of us will experience from time to time and is usually short lived. Although the average time we might expect to sleep is eight hours, there is no 'normal' length of time to sleep; some sleep for ten hours; others for six - whatever is natural and restorative for them.

SLEEP MATTERS . . . .
    looking at insomnia

If you have a problem sleeping, this publication is for you. It gives helpful and practical information to help you overcome your sleeping problem and how to seek appropriate advice and help.

Contents include:

A sleep diary

Recording your daily activities, any medicines you take and how well you sleep may help to identify a pattern and solve the cause of your problems sleeping. Sleep is very important to our physical and mental wellbeing, but we tend to take it for granted. We are also inclined to get worried about NOT sleeping and this can lead to a vicious cycle of sleep loss.

The four major types of sleep disruption:

Difficulty in falling asleep
Waking in the night and not being able to get back to sleep
Waking too early in the morning
Waking in the morning still feeling tired (perhaps as a result of any of the above)

Overcoming the most common causes of sleep problems:

Creating a routine for preparing for bed
Making sure you feel safe and comfortable in your home
What to eat and when to eat before bedtime
Reducing the need to go to the loo in the night!
Preparation for sleep

Mental preparation at bedtime:

The do’s and dont’s
 

Sleep Matters...A nurse run information line operated by the Medical Advisory Service.
Tel: 020 8994 9874
(Each evening 6pm to 8pm)