A Bristol sleep expert has explained why many people across the UK had a bad night's sleep last night (March 29).
Thousands of people have taken to social media this morning to report a restless night, which has led to #cantsleep trending on Twitter.
One user of the social media site wrote: "Feels so weird that everyone seems to be having collective insomnia. Literally never seen so many people awake the same time as me #cantsleep"
Another person added: "Last night I struggled to get to sleep for ages I eventually get to sleep around 3 and I dreamt like mad then woke up again at 5.30, slept again now I’m awake again, I come on twitter to this hashtag how bizarre everyone seems to of had a similar experience last night? #cantsleep"
Christabel Majendie, a sleep expert and consultant based at The Family Practice on Gloucester Road, said sleep disturbance is common during times of stress and uncertainty.
She told Bristol Live: "Lots of people may be experiencing poor sleep at the moment. During times of stress, change and uncertainty, sleep disturbance is normal.
"Short-term sleep disturbances generally pass after anything from a few nights to a few weeks."
Christabel added that in addition to the anxiety people are suffering because of coronavirus, it is normal to have a poor night's sleep on Sundays due to "social jetlag".
"You often see a bit of a Sunday effect on sleep if people adjust their sleeping patterns over the weekend," she added.
"People tend to stay up later and lie in, particularly as they aren’t having to get up for anything at the weekend at the moment.
"This can lead to what's known as social jetlag, a switch in their internal body clock which means it’s hard to go to sleep at the usual time on Sunday and to get up at the usual time on Monday morning.
"It is likely to also be a bit of a build up from the last few weeks, with people spending more time indoors, on their phones and other devices more in the evening, working at home including in the bedroom, drinking more alcohol and the reality of the situation kicking in."
People have also reported 'having quite emotional dreams' during the lockdown due to increased levels of stress.
Advice from Christabel
Christabel offered some of her top top tips for people who are currently struggling with their sleep, advising people to avoid screens before getting their head down and to not work in the bedroom.
She added: "The focus, during this time, should be on good sleep hygiene, such as lifestyle factors and setting up the bedroom environment to improve sleep and stress management.
"Some simple tips are to put away devices an hour or two before bed and do something relaxing, not rely on alcohol to get you to sleep as this will disturb your sleep later and cut out caffeine six to eight hours before bedtime.
"I would also suggest that people do not work in the bedroom and instead keep this room for sleep, and that they try to get out in the daylight for an hour in the morning and dim lights in the evening.
"It’s best to aim for a consistent bedtime and waketime, even at the weekend."
