Sleep Optimisation

Poor sleep has a domino effect on the rest of our day and lives. Optimising sleep through lifestyle medicine involves a holistic approach that integrates various aspects of daily life to enhance sleep quality and duration. A consistent sleep schedule is foundational, along with creating a restful sleep environment and avoiding stimulants. How we start and spend our day is crucial to how our day ends, including correcting our circadian rhythm

Diet plays a significant role in sleep optimisation. We know the interplay between diet and sleep is complex and low-fibre, high-fat and sugar diets are associated with poorer sleep.

Managing stress through mindfulness, meditation and deep-breathing exercises can significantly improve sleep quality. There are a number of evidence-based treatment options, for example, HRT, yoga and CBT-I. The timing and type of exercise can make a real impact on sleep quality.

Tryptophan, found in food or as a supplement, is an important precursor for melatonin and serotonin which positively enables sleep.

Sometimes medication can be used in the short term.

Whilst sleep can be foundational to a healthy life, incorporating healthy lifestyle changes also leads to more restorative sleep. Lifestyle measures are interconnected and we can explore this to improve sleep and consequently all health measures.