To Sleep or Not to Sleep That is The Question

I feel bombarded in recent months by research telling me how important it is to get 7 or 8 hours sleep per night. It is important to our health and wellbeing. I think to myself yes, that’s great. Let’s all do that then. Make ourselves sleep every night for that length of time. But what if you are one of the 1 in 4 people who struggle with a good night’s sleep (The Sleep Council)? How does it make you feel to be told you must when you can’t?

I work with many clients in this very situation. Often our inability to sleep is caused by stress or anxiety and sometimes depression too. Or it could be bad habits that have developed with a bedtime routine. Some of us may also struggle with controlling chronic pain.

It may be getting off to sleep which is the issue for you? Or is it waking after 2 or 3 hours and then being unable to doze off again?

Its good to know that there are things that can be done to help. However long lack of sleep has been a problem there are usually solutions. In my therapy I help people deal with the underlying issue. You can develop new and better ways of enjoying a whole night’s sleep. On average clients see me for 6 sessions and learn new relaxation skills for the future, as well as dealing with other aspects of their lives which may be stopping sleep. So maybe a 7 or 8 hour sleep is not out of the question for you too.