Sleep is a bodily function which is vital to our health and wellbeing.
We are awake and busy for two thirds of our life. And we need the other third to restore: to help the brain and immune system to function and to maintain the microbiome in the gut.
But during the pandemic, many of us have found it harder than usual to get a good night’s sleep – perhaps because of the extra stress of worrying about infection, missing loved ones or loss of income.
If you read a magazine article or an internet feature on sleep, it may talk about good ‘sleep hygiene’, such as not using screens in the hour before sleep and the importance of having a dark and quiet bedroom.
It might also suggest using sedative herbs such as valerian or chamomile to promote a restful state.