Sleep Psychologist Sydney

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Sleep Psychologist Sydney: In-person & Online Sessions Available

Counselling for issues and problems with sleep – help for sleep disorders and all other issues.

a man seeing a sleep psychologist in sydney

Sleep Tips

Sleep is important for physical and mental health. The following tips may be helpful for those trying to improve the quality of their sleep.

Develop a Routine

Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day (including weekends). Keep your daytime routine the same as well – don’t avoid things because you haven’t slept well.

Relax

Wind down in the hours before bed. Avoid stimulating activities (e.g. work, problem solving, planning, studying) and practice relaxing ones (e.g. take a bath, read a book, practice relaxation, drink caffeine-free tea).

Dim The Lights One Hour Before Bed

At least one hour before bed, dim the lights as low as possible. Science has shown that our bodies over time have evolved to use light and the absence of light to as indicators of what time of day it is and therefore when to wake up and fall asleep. If you have bright lights on right before you try to fall asleep your body assumes that the sun is still up and not time to fall asleep yet. It can take an hour or so for the body to feel ready to fall asleep.

Get Comfortable

Make your room dark (e.g. use face masks, close blinds, avoid devices or at least dim the screen or apply a ‘blue light filter’), quiet (e.g. use ear plugs, or listen to relaxing music or white noise such as a rain soundtracks on YouTube), and comfortable (e.g. use fans, air-conditioning, hot-water-bottles etc). 

Write Your Worries Down

3a.m. is not the time to solve problems. If you’re worrying whilst lying in bed, write your worries down and work on them tomorrow. Then, practice relaxing activities.

Don’t Force It

If you haven’t fallen asleep after 20 minutes, do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.

Don’t Clock Watch

Don’t check the clock to see how much time you have(n’t) got left until you have wake up. This just causes stress, making sleep even less likely. Turn your alarm away from you, and put your phone out of reach.

Avoid Screens

Turn off your computer, phone and TV at bedtime. The light/brightness from the screens may interfere with the onset of sleep. Alternatively, turn the brightness of the screens down, use a ‘blue light’ filter, and watch only ‘mindless’, non-stimulating programs.

a girl needing to see a sleep psychologist in sydney

Exercise

Try to exercise every day. Avoid doing it in the 4 hours before bed though as it can be over-stimulating.

Avoid Naps

Napping can interfere with your sleep routine at night. Naps over an hour long, or that are later in the day, can be particularly disruptive.

Avoid Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol

4-6 hours before bed, avoid caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate, and some medications) or nicotine (e.g. cigarettes) and alcohol. These may interfere with you falling and staying asleep.

Try Therapy: See A Sleep Psycologist In Sydney, Online Or In Your City.

Sleep problems and disorders can be helped with the use of evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with a professional therapist.

Sleep Psychologist Sydney: Get Help In-person Or Online:

We are sleep psychologists in North Sydney who treat sleep problems and sleep disorders using CBT. Please get in contact to learn more.

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