How Are You Sleeping?

My Weekly’s favourite GP from TV and radio writes for you

- Dr Sarah Jarvis

We've all had times when we toss and turn – usually during the very periods we most need a good night’s sleep. Insomnia is incredibly common. It affects one in five of us, and can stop us functioning effectively during the day as well as making bedtime a misery. So how do you break the cycle and return to the stage where you can snuggle down and be out like a light? And when should you see your doctor in case there’s a serious cause?

When doctors talk about insomnia, we look at the pattern as well as the amount of sleep you’re getting. Different types have different possible causes. So to get a clear idea of the problem, keep a sleep diary and monitor the following:

How much alcohol you drank in the evening

When you got into bed and when you turned the lights off

A rough estimate – no clock watching, you’ll find out why later! – of how long you took to fall asleep