Many people experience difficulty with sleeping at some point in their life.
Sleep problems are often temporary lasting across a few nights. If they become more chronic, lasting regularly across several weeks you may need to visit your G.P. to consider what help might be available.
Difficulty sleeping can often be caused by stress, such as big changes like moving away from home, studying for exams, and managing deadlines, worrying about someone close to you or your own future.
Often when the stress passes your sleep pattern will begin to return to normal.
Helpful Habits
Going to sleep at the same time each night.
Allowing time to relax before going to bed.
Regular exercise
Have a warm milky drink before you go to bed.
Relax in a hot bath
Write down what's on your mind, and put it to one side.
If you can't sleep get up and do something different, go back to bed when you feel sleepy.
Use your imagination positively; in your mind recreate a good memory or image.
Unhelpful Habits
Sleeping in the daytime.
Playing on a play station or other electronic computer games that can stimulate your mind in the hour before going to bed.
Exercise late in the evening.
Having a clock where you can see the time by your bed.
Avoid stimulants such as drinks that contain caffeine for at least four hours before going to bed e.g. coffee, tea, coke, cola, alcohol and energy drinks. Avoid nicotine.
For further information:
www.mind.org.uk
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfo/problems/sleepproblems.aspx