Sleep!

As an anxiety sufferer, you'll know that sometimes sleep can hard to come by. Whether it be due to medication or genuine stress and worry, there can be many times when you can't get to sleep or have disturbed sleep. There is much to trawl through on the internet about how to get back to sleep or get to sleep, so I thought I'd compile a few tips which I've heard are beneficial or help me. 

1. Yoga - yoga is great for nerves, but also for trying to get to sleep and more importantly; back to sleep! There are many apps and videos in which you can follow yoga routines. 

2. No caffeine - it seems quite an obvious one, but is often avoided. This means no tea, sugar and possibly even cheese before you sleep. It can reduce anxiety in general too, if you have less of this in your diet.

3. Write it down - an old trick from the book. Writing down your worries can help a lot. For me I don't just like to write, but I like to organise, whether that's before I go to bed or whether I wake up in the middle of the night, stressed. Sometimes, if I really can't sleep I'll try and complete some of things on my to do list.

4. A hot drink - a hot drink always helps - of course it helps if it's not caffeinated!

5. Music - if you go onto YouTube, you'll find many songs and playlists with music to help you sleep. I've found this really beneficial.

6. Get up - if you find yourself tossing and turning for over twenty minutes, then try to get up and move. It only has to be for a minute or so. For some reason it works quite well.

7. Bath - people always say a hot bath helps de-stress and helps you to sleep too. See what you think!

8. Screen time - supposedly not using your phone/tablet for an hour before you go to bed can help you to sleep better. Give it a go.

9. Regular sleeping pattern - if you are constantly going to bed at different times throughout the week, try getting up and going to bed at certain times. Your body will soon get used to it within a few weeks and hopefully without the need of an alarm.

10. Counting - this may have been something you were taught as a child to help you sleep; but counting can often help you to drift of into a deep sleep.

How do I talk to someone?

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I encourage talking about mental health as the best route to recovery. However, I know this is easier said than done and I know that talking about your problems with mental health can be very difficult. Therefore, I've compiled a list of a few things that may help you:

1. Letter - Often we have the words to say, but we just can't bring ourselves to say them aloud. By writing a letter, it may be easier for you to tell someone about the issues you are facing and give the other person time to reply.

2. Trust - It's always easier to talk to someone who you know really well and trust. You know that these people will support you with whatever you will tell them. "A problem shared, is a problem halved" Therefore, you'll not only find it easier to talk to them, but it may give you the courage to talk to other people who you are close to in your life.

3. Research - Unfortunately, mental health isn't as understood as we'd all like it to be. However, there are ways you can help. It will become easier for the other person to understand if you have some information to help you explain the condition. You can find this information from the doctors, charities, the internet and of course your own experience!

4. You're the same - Keep in mind that you're still the same as you were before you had told this person about your mental health. You haven't changed, you just have to battle something extra in your everyday life. Perhaps explaining this to the person, may help them to understand and support you; you're still the person they've always known.

5. Walk and talk - Try to find the best way for you to tell the person. Perhaps it's easier to go on a walk and have a catch up with a friend, or it's easier to have a cup of tea and tell them face to face, perhaps telling them online; whatever is best for you. It's important that you try to find a way in which you feel comfortable and at a time when you feel ready.

Generally speaking, people saw the changes mental illness were having on me and thus it was hard to hide. On the other hand, for those I managed to keep it quiet from, I managed to have a general catch up with them in person, rather than online or by sitting them down. I found it easier to tell them straight away, as excuses only made it harder for me tell them what was really going on.

I hope these tips have helped. Everyone is different, so the method you have used may not be on this list. If you have used a different method, then please let me know in the comments below. Take your time.

Perhaps this video may help you:

Best Wishes,