Five tips to a good night's kip as Glasgow is named one of worst UK cities for sleep problems

Experts have given five tips that are key to getting a good night’s kip after Glasgow was named one of the worst UK cities for sleep problems.

Sleep boffins Sleepseeker looked into the number of searches related to sleep problems in the most populated towns and cities across the UK.

Glasgow ended up fourth on the list after it racked up 5,523 sleep searches per 100,000 people.

Only Cambridge, Peterborough and Manchester were above Scotland’s largest city.

Only three UK cities were above Glasgow in the list (DAILY RECORD)

Cardiff was named the top city in the UK for the best sleep, with the Welsh capital only amassing 1,640 sleep searches per 100,000 - which 2.5x fewer than the national average.

Sleep problems are likely to have worsened across the UK over the past year - with worries about financial insecurity, the coronavirus pandemic and a number of lockdown restrictions taking over from calming thoughts about the land of nod.

Sleepseeker has given us their top five tips to ensure that you can get a better night’s sleep in the future.

Diet and exercise

Being active during the day (whether you go running or for a brisk walk) can help reduce stress and boost the amount of time you spend in the deeper/restorative stages of sleep. Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and large meals in the hours leading up to bedtime.

Avoid blue light

We’re all guilty of going on our devices before bedtime, but this has an adverse effect on our ability to sleep. The blue light prevents the production of the melatonin hormone, which aids sleep. If you find it hard to sleep, you could read a book instead.

Experts advise Scots to read a book instead of going on our phones before bed (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Practice meditating

Meditation is a great way to destress and create that inner calmness before you hit the hay. There are plenty of free mindfulness resources out there to help you hone your technique and reach a perfect state of mind for sleep.

Create a comfortable space

Make sure your bedroom is a snug environment for sleeping. There are a variety of mattresses and pillows out there with different functions to suit your needs. It’s also important to ensure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature to avoid a restless night.

Consistency is key

Going to sleep at the same time every night is good for your body clock and sleep consistency. So set a realistic timeframe and stick to it, even on the weekends (which is when routines are usually disrupted).