Sleep Optimisation

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.

Incorporating lifestyle changes can lead to more restorative sleep, which is essential for overall health and well-being.