Between 13 and 33 per cent of our population has regular difficulty either getting to sleep or staying asleep, according to a recent article in the Australian Medical Journal.
Though the report does not divide sufferers into gender groups, women are likely to be well-represented in this figure.
Here are some suggestions from the Women’s Health Centre on WebMD to help you improve your sleep, and beat insomnia.
Sticking to a routine is important for insomniacs – this habit trains your body to associate particular times with ‘sleep time’. Even though it’s enticing to kip for longer into the mornings on weekends, adhere to the same wake-up time each day of the week.
While napping can sometimes deliver an energy boost, it can also confuse your body’s sleep clock. Again, keep sleep times consistent and beware of daytime naps – they can affect the quality of your overnight sleep later on.
Exercising just before bed can rev up your body, so get your sweat on at least three hours prior to sleep. Regular exercise aids the quality of your sleep, so don’t ditch it altogether!