Business as snooze-ual

DOCS' TOP TIPS ON HOW TO RESET YOUR SLEEP AFTER THE FESTIVE PERIOD

- BY CAMILLA FOSTER

IN the days and weeks over Christmas, many of us would have lost track of what day it is and fell out of our usual routines. As a result, our sleep often takes a hit.

"At this time of year, people have often had far too much alcohol, they're tired and have accumulated a sleep debt, so good sleep is at an all-time low," reflects Dr Marion Sloan, GP and chair of the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology.

When trying to improve sleep, we often focus on what we can change during the evening and nighttime. However, Dr David Garley, GP and director of The Better Sleep Clinic, says this approach misses an important part of the picture.

"When you aren‘t sleeping well, it’s quite natural to focus on the night, but actually by shifting your focus to the day and carrying out activities that reinforce the wake phase of your circadian rhythm can help the sleep phase arrive a bit more naturally at night,’ explains Dr Garley.

If your sleep has gone off track after Christmas, you are not alone. Here are eight ways to help reset your sleep this January...

1. Get out in the daylight

“Early January is a really good time to look for a fresh start and to try and reestablish some healthy rhythms, and one of the most natural ways to do that is to get out in that early-morning sunshine’ says Dr Sloan.