With the Covid19, the lockdown and the economic crisis, you’re struggling with sleep these days? You feel tired, irritable, depressed, or you feel that you get sick more often than usual? 
You are not alone! With all the uncertainty that surrounds us, sleep can be elusive, and it may come as no surprise that sleep, mental health and immunity are linked. 

We asked psychiatrist and researcher Hala Kerbage to share with us 10 tips to sleep better, here they are: 

  1. Maintain a regular sleep-and-wake schedule
  2. Use the bedroom only for sleeping, and keep it dark and free of distractions like the computer or television
  3. Reduce or better yet, stop the consumption of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. 
  4. Maintain a regular physical activity
  5. Avoid looking at screens before going to sleep

If despite all, you struggle with insomnia:

  1. Try to identify what exactly makes you stressed or anxious (and these days, you have your pick of reasons!) 
  2. Accept that it’s normal to feel bad, don’t judge or blame yourself 
  3. Don’t obsess about sleep. If you can’t sleep, try to read a book, call a friend, do something without trying to sleep at all costs. 
  4. If your troubles persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor or sleep specialist.
  5. If you’re used to them, relaxation techniques (such as mediation) can help. 

If you suffer from suicidal thoughts or anxiety attacks, reach out to 1564 (Embrace NGO’s hotline) or if you’re a healthcare professional, you can call Speak Up Covid 79 12 05 70.

For more info, you can read Hala’s full interview here.

#howtohurtless #becausewearealllockeddown