“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” –Irish Proverb
Sleep is essential for a person’s health and wellbeing, yet millions of people do not get enough sleep, and many suffer from lack of sleep. Surveys reveal that 60% of adults report having sleep problems a few nights a week or more. More than 40% of adults’ experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month. 69% of children experience one or more sleep problems a few nights or more during a week.
This playlist includes ways to improve your sleep, podcasts & shows to help you relax and clever hacks to help your child get a good night’s sleep.
Read: Twelve Simple Tips to Improve Your Sleep
Falling asleep may seem like an impossible dream when you’re awake at 3 a.m., but good sleep is more under your control than you might think. Following healthy sleep habits can make the difference between restlessness and restful slumber. Researchers have identified a variety of practices and habits—known as “sleep hygiene”—that can help anyone maximize the hours they spend sleeping, even those whose sleep is affected by insomnia, jet lag, or shift work. Here are some simple tips for making the sleep of your dreams a nightly reality.
Listen: How to get a good night’s sleep in times of stress
Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr. Claire Hayes talks about some of the dos and don’ts around sleep, shares some techniques that we can use to calm our minds if we’re struggling to nod off and she leads a relaxation exercise that you can either listen to at night or anytime you’re feeling anxious – it’s pretty relaxing though, so best not to listen while driving, etc. Listen here.
Financial Wellbeing: How to deal with credit card debt
Many years ago, marketing campaigns urged us all to use our flexible friend – the credit card – when shopping. That friend has, for some, got out of control and some of us need to smell the roses and drink a dose of reality. Here are five tips from John Lowe of Money Doctors to put you back on track with your credit card if it’s a little out of order.
For the Children: 10 clever hacks to help your child get a good night’s sleep
Children sleeping well is one of the holy grails of parenting, and many mums and dads swear by the bedtime routine of bath, book, bed to help little ones have a good night’s sleep. Shallow shares her tips on what parents can do during the day to help children settle well at night here.
Sustainable Living: 5 uplifting conservation success stories from the UK and Ireland
For the world’s conservationists, life must sometimes feel like an uphill struggle. From deforestation in the Amazon to the encroaching effects of climate change, Earth is currently undergoing what scientists are calling its ‘sixth mass extinction’, and humans are considered broadly to blame. But it’s not all doom and gloom, and from rewilding initiatives to species reintroductions, there are still reasons to be cheerful. Here are some startling success stories for British and Irish conservation in recent years.
Netflix: Moving Art
With relaxing instrumentals, surreal nature scenes, and time-lapse photography, Moving Art is a show that quickly turns into a meditative experience. So if you can’t sleep, it may be worth a try. Of course, it’s all about choosing something that makes you comfortable, whether that be a soothing nature documentary, old TV series, quaint baking show, or slow-paced painting tutorial. There’s more than enough on Netflix to help you drift off to sleep. Watch the trailer for Season 2 here.
Podcast: Sleep With Me
We’re supposed to get eight hours sleep each night. We’re also supposed to stick to a regular sleep-and-wake routine too. But sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially if your mind is in overdrive. This podcast is just the antidote for insomniacs looking to quieten the internal whirring. They’re basically a collection of ‘silly bedtime stories for adults’. Listen here.
Yoga: YouTube
Wind Down Yoga – 12 Minute Bedtime Yoga – Yoga with Adriene – Take a load off with this 12-minute relaxing yoga session created to help you wind down, love and honor your body. A perfect practice for after work or to help you get ready for bed. Give the thinking mind a break and relax the body. Let go of anything you don’t need.
Meditation: YouTube
GUIDED SLEEP MEDITATION: Relieve Anxiety, Stress or Pain. Insomnia Help – This gentle guided sleep meditation will lead you to a place where you can melt away any anxiety, stress and pain you may be experiencing, while falling into a restful sleep. This will calm your mind, relax your body and allow you to feel all the benefits of this tranquil, powerful healing.
The Mindful Traveller 