Sleeping Well

Sleeping well is really important. Everyone needs, at the very least, six hours sleep a night and young people often need at least eight hours. A good night’s sleep will make you feel happier and more positive the next morning.

Tiredness can affect the brain in a big way, making us feel low and that nothing is going our way. It’s always surprising how much brighter things look after a good nights sleep.

Some people have trouble sleeping (called insomnia). If this is the case try to be more physically active during the daytime and cut out stimulants such as tea, coffee and fizzy drinks. It’s also important not to be studying or working right up to bedtime, everybody needs time to relax before going to bed to let your brain and body wind down.

Not sleeping well can be a symptom of feeling low or depression, if your lack of sleep is troubling you go and see your GP for help and to try and find out if there's a reason for it.

Relax

You don’t have to be at the gym every night and eating salad for every meal to be healthy, spending some time relaxing and treating yourself is also good. It could be going for a swim, enjoying a sauna, going to the cinema, or talking to your friends/family. If it helps you relax then it's all good.

More...

BBC Health and the Mental Health Foundation websites all have more information about relaxation and sleeping soundly.