Most of us have trouble sleeping at some point in our lives, particularly if we’re under stress. Sometimes sleep difficulties are the result of other problems and sometimes they are a problem in their own right. The most common sleep problem is trouble getting to sleep, but you can also have difficulty with staying asleep, waking too early, or poor quality sleep. If you’ve been troubled by any of these for more than a month or if you can’t get a good night’s sleep without sleeping pills, you may have a problem called insomnia.
Most of us have trouble sleeping at some point in our lives, particularly if we’re under stress. Sometimes sleep difficulties are the result of other problems and sometimes they are a problem in their own right. The most common sleep problem is trouble getting to sleep, but you can also have difficulty with staying asleep, waking too early, or poor quality sleep. If you’ve been troubled by any of these for more than a month or if you can’t get a good night’s sleep without sleeping pills, you may have a problem called insomnia.
The amount of sleep required by each person varies. On average, people sleep between 7-9 hours a night, depending on a variety of things. Some people can function well with only 5-6 hours of sleep a night, whereas others may need up to 10 hours. It’s important that you find your own level.
All sorts of things can disrupt our sleep. Stress and strain can lead to sleep problems in the short term, but your sleep should go back to normal once the stress has resolved. If you’re continuing to have difficulty sleeping, this is usually because bad sleeping habits have developed, or worries about sleeping have started to take over.
Sleep is vital for our minds and bodies. While we sleep, our brains process memories and sort out things that have happened in the day. Sleep also gives our muscles much needed rest and helps our bodies restore, heal and grow. The harder our bodies work, the more rest they need.
We all experience changes in our lives. Learn about how change can affect our wellbeing.
Sleepio is a 6 week online program designed by sleep experts and based on cognitive and behavioral techniques.
A list of resources to help you get better sleep: apps, websites, blogs, worksheets and books
This booklet covers a wide range of topics related to sleep problems. Some of these sections will be relevant to you, but there may also be parts which are not. There are various tasks throughout this booklet to help you identify your sleep problems, and to help you learn new ways of dealing with them.
Click the link below to view and download a PDF guide from NHS Inform (link to PDF at bottom of page). https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/bereavement-and-grief-self-help-guide#
CBT for Insomnia is an evidence based set of interventions effective in the treatment of Insomnia and sleep problems. This workbook can be used either alone or with the support of your Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.
If you are in need of some support, this self-help book can help you cope better with low mood. This booklet prepared by Wellbeing-Glasgow covers a wide range of topics related to low mood and…
We all have to cope and manage with change in our lives for lots of reasons. Here are some tips and thoughts on navigating through a period of change.
If you feel tense a lot of the time, you can try learning some relaxation skills, as these should be helpful.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychological therapy based on the relationships between what we think, what we do and how we feel. CBT teaches you how to recognise and tackle problems in the here and now, rather than in the past.
If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and in imminent danger of causing harm to themselves or others, call 999 immediately
