Wake up Happy: the Benefits of Sleep

We all have evenings when we struggle to nod off or nights when we wake up and can't get back to sleep – and, whatever your situation, there's no denying that the past two years have been mentally tough. While it's easy to become accustomed to being sleep deprived, it's not healthy. Plus, there are huge mental-health benefits to getting enough good-quality sleep. It can help you manage stress – crucial for navigating life's challenges – and lift your mood and energy, which in turn leads to better relationships with your family, friends and colleagues. Sleep can also improve your memory, lift brain fog and boost productivity, helping you breeze through everything from work to Wordle.

Being active can help you sleep better, so add some exercise to your daily routine. Avoid doing anything too vigorous just before bedtime – think gentle yoga stretches rather than a sweaty HIIT session. Alcohol and caffeine affect sleep, so try to cut down your intake and avoid caffeine after 12pm. Create a sleep-friendly environment with a cool, dark and clutter-free bedroom and build healthy habits into your routine, such as switching off devices at least an hour before bed and taking a warm bath or shower before you hit the sack. A lavender-based pillow spray, soft cotton PJs and a relaxing read are great add-ons to set yourself up for a restful night.