Not getting enough sleep can leave you feeling groggy, irritable and extremely tired, and feeling tired can hinder your day-to-day life. After the busy Christmas and New Year period, many people will be looking to begin 2019 with a fresh start, aiming to boost productivity and achieve New Year’s resolutions. But when you’re tired, this can be easier said than done, and productivity levels can be severely impacted. Sleep specialist Dr Roger Henderson offers three reasons why you might still be feeling tired and how to get a good night’s sleep.
Snoozing your alarm
You may think snoozing your alarm will help you feel less tired by giving you more time to sleep, but this can actually make you feel more tired.
This is because snoozing jerks you out of a deep sleep and forces you back into it, confusing the body clock.
“In general, our bodies do better when they can get used to a single clear rule so do your best to get out of bed the moment the alarm sounds,” said Dr Henderson.
Instead of snoozing, put your alarm clock on the other side of the room so you are forced to get out off bed and turn it off. This will also wake you up easier.
A hectic mind
“In the last 50 years, we’ve begun to lead more sedentary lifestyles, which has undoubtedly impacted on the quality of our sleep,” said Dr Henderson.
“We also have less and less downtime, which means our brains are not given a chance to rest and switch off.”
Constant access to stimuli like smartphones and tablets means we hardly ever have the opportunity to switch our brains off and do nothing, which Dr Henderson says is “essential” to our overall wellbeing.
To give the brain a rest, keep your smartphone out of the bedroom. Use an alarm clock to wake you in the mornings and charge your phone in another room at night.
Lack of quality sleep
According to Dr Henderson, 80 per cent of Brits struggle to get quality sleep and on average wake up three times a night.
But good quality sleep is essential for cognitive function, general health and wellbeing.
Dr Henderson recommends taking a sleep supplement if you struggle to get a good night’s sleep.
“Unfortunately, quantity does not mean quality when it comes to sleep.”
“If you’re waking up feeling tired after a lot of sleep then it may be for a number of reasons, but I would recommend taking a sleep supplement to ensure you are getting the best quality sleep possible and feel energised the next day.”