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Do you have phone brain? Having a neurological condition means that the health of my brain is a priority to me, and whilst our phones can be extremely entertaining and informative, they can also be highly addictive and very damaging to the health of this vital organ.

Phone addiction is one addiction that seems to be acceptable in our society; our phones take over our lives, some of us share everything that we do online, and it is estimated that young people check their phones up to 150 times day. We often complain that we don’t have enough time to do all that we need to do, but we waste valuable time aimlessly scrolling through social media.

I am as guilty of mindless lurking as anyone, but I made the decision to unfollow pages that were full of posts that attracted keyboard warriors, aggressive trolls and negative energy; instead I follow inspirational pages and people who have a positive effect on me. I am very aware that some people who post endlessly are just seeking validation and approval, but I choose to blog to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and to create a positive space online, I don’t do it for the ‘Likes’ or attention. The purpose of this particular piece is not to judge or mock; but rather to encourage you to think about your relationship with your phone and the impact that it has on your neurological health.

Signs of addiction include constantly ‘checking in’, being unable to do an activity without posting about it and always being absorbed in your newsfeed. Constant phone use means that our brains are overstimulated; leaving us feeling anxious and overwhelmed, we are always alert and are slaves to endless notifications. Non-stop stimulation doesn’t allow the brain respite or rest. Being online constantly isn’t healthy, and the parents and teachers amongst us will agree that many teenagers’ obsession with social media is linked to poor sleep and anxiety, they have Facebook envy looking at the fabulous lives that their ‘friends’ appear to be displaying online, and such a huge amount of time is wasted mindlessly swiping. However, are we adults modelling good use of our own phones? Are we keeping an eye on our own internet time?  Do we want everyone to think that we have a perfect life? Are we teaching our children to share every detail of their lives online? Do we always have our phones sitting next to us or in our back pockets?

When used responsibly, our phones can help our wellbeing; I listen to podcasts on personal development when driving, cleaning, cooking or walking the dog; they are a great way to give my brain new information. Also, social media can be a fantastic platform for raising awareness of important issues, it is a tool of the trade for many businesses, it is a way to stay in touch with friends and family, get news and even get a boost of dopamine laughing at memes. Technology can be extremely useful; but it’s just about setting some boundaries and keeping perspective.

Our brains are constantly evolving and developing, and it is possible to rewire them; just as the brain can create addictions, it can stop them too. Is it time to take charge, carry out a digital detox and take a step back? Weaning yourself off the internet will make you happier and calmer, you will be more present, and you may even find it extremely liberating. We are not designed to be switched on at all times, and if you decide to take a little Sabbatical, you will soon realise that you’re not missing out on all that much after all.  We can’t get away from owning phones, but we can certainly try to improve our relationships with them…

Breathing is something that we all do automatically, but few of us breathe well and we probably rarely even think about it. However, making it a focus can bring so many benefits into your life.  I have recently discovered the power of conscious breathing in calming and easing my Parkinson’s symptoms, particularly the anxiety; it has become medicine for my mind and body, soothing my frazzled nervous system and bringing serenity to my mind. Considering that many other chronic illnesses are linked to the nervous system, it is most definitely worth taking a look at a free and accessible tool that can make everyday life more manageable.

Those who suffer with high levels of anxiety tend to shallow breathe, but if we can learn to regulate our breath, we can learn to regulate our bodies. Conscious breathing is such a powerful tool, yet many of us are breathing incorrectly and creating a plethora of problems for ourselves; these issues can be prevented or helped simply by changing how we breathe. I am not a doctor and I am not qualified to give advice, but I do a lot of research and reading, and I only share techniques and strategies that I personally have found to work. Anyone who does yoga will be aware of the importance of controlled breathing in creating a state of calm. There are also so many testimonies from people who use the Wim Hof method or Tummo breathing that will support my belief in the transformative power of breathing correctly.

Studies show that only breathing through our mouths is bad for our health; we consume less oxygen and we are not making our lungs work to full capacity as we are not inhaling enough air. We tend to breathe through our mouths when we are stressed as it is easier, nasal breathing is harder, but you inhale more oxygen.  Every cell in the body depends on oxygen, it is what our bodies need, and cells and tissues denied adequate oxygen for long enough start to break down.

Nasal breathing on the other hand eases migraines, helps snoring and apnea, diffuses stress, resets the body, regulates heart rate, and keeps you grounded and balanced. Breathing through the left nostril in particular calms the body down as it is connected to the parasympathetic nervous system; it is responsible for reducing anxiety, inducing relaxation, and lowering blood pressure. Poor breathing is linked to higher blood pressure, cardio-vascular problems, fatigue and panic attacks. Brain health is my number one concern, and breathing correctly increases blood flow to my brain, I feel a release of happy chemicals and can induce a state of calm bliss within minutes. Working with my nervous system and keeping my body in a state of homeostasis is crucial to alleviating my symptoms, and this strategy really works!

Breathing too often and too quickly overworks the body. Those with a lower resting heart rate tend to live longer; a slow resting heart rate is achieved by slow breaths, inhaling and exhaling deeply and slowly through the nose.  Try meditation in order to slow down the breath and the brainwaves, or breathing through alternate nostrils, in for four and out for four. Basically, breathe slowly and less. Research breathing apps or set a daily or hourly reminder on your phone to ensure that you are checking in with your breath. Keep checking whether your breathing is sending distress signals through your body, or peace and calm. Breathing correctly is an immediate way to calm yourself.

The positive results may take a while to be seen, it can take years to create an illness, and so it may take years to heal. Don’t underestimate the healing power of a long, deep and mindful breath; your body and mind will definitely reward you for it!

I am in no doubt about the healing effects of nature; it is medicine for my body and soul, it calms my nervous system and clears my mind. The stress of modern living is leading us further away from nature, and we are replacing that void with stress, noise, hustle and bustle. The last time that I went hiking in nature my Parkinson’s symptoms dissipated and I walked symptom free with a normal gait; this is proof of the medicinal power of nature.  Spending time outdoors is widely recognised as a tool to reduce stress and anxiety, it aids relaxation and wellbeing, and it settles our harassed brains and nervous systems.  

Unfortunately, many of us spend most of our time indoors, staring at screens like zombies. The link between screen time and brain development, anxiety and depression is well-documented; we are bombarded with distractions that over-stimulate us and leave our brains frazzled. Surely there is more to life? Nature makes us step away from the screens and the constant din; we miss out on so much when we spend our days attached to technology, it is literally sucking the life out of us.   

For years, many patients throughout the world have been receiving doctor’s prescriptions asking them to spend time outdoors, clearly nature’s power to heal cannot be underestimated. Time in nature increases our happy hormones such as oxytocin, and it reduces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Blood pressure is reduced, the immune system is strengthened, we get a natural dose of vitamin D, and it increases our mental wellbeing. Getting back to nature boosts our mood, allows time for contemplation, gives the body a renewed energy and brings harmony to the mind and soul. I firmly believe that finding time in nature should be non-negotiable.

How can you answer this call to the wild? Well, if you’re lucky enough to be able to go to the woods, you can practice forest-bathing; touch, smell and feel the trees. Take a restorative walk on the beach or get into the garden as often as you can. If you can’t get out or have no garden, then listen to recordings of nature’s acoustics such as the sound of waves, insects chirping, waves crashing, birdsong or the patter of raindrops. Bring nature into your house with plants and flowers, I always get a dopamine hit and a lift when I have beautiful flowers in the house. Reconnect with nature by noticing it, make a conscious effort to notice the beauty around you; let it reenergise every cell, uplift and rebalance you.

Nature is waiting to heal you and to nourish your soul, so shake off your worries for a short interval, put on those walking shoes and connect to the earth. Time with Mother Nature is a necessity, not a luxury …

Nothing can ever prepare you for the day that your good health is brought to a screeching halt and you are diagnosed with a serious health condition, the final nail in the coffin is being told that, ‘There is no cure’. After the initial shock and period of grieving, I accepted the diagnosis of Parkinson’s, but not the prognosis. There are in fact so many people who have halted or even reversed their symptoms of Parkinson’s, MS, Fibromyalgia and so many other chronic illnesses; and I am determined to join them. I refused to accept that this is how it had to be and decided to take back some of my power.

I am fortunate to work with a fantastic neurologist and medical team, and I cannot praise them highly enough, but chronic illness remains a great unsolved mystery to the medical profession. Medication can alleviate some symptoms but not cure them, and there are a plethora of side-effects; so I decided to join the many people who have healed themselves without medication (please do not do this before speaking to your consultant). Conventional medicine cannot cure Parkinson’s, and so I decided to investigate complementary therapies that I could use in conjunction with my medical treatment, and I have never looked back.

I have thrown myself into reading the testimonies of those who are in remission from Parkinson’s and other chronic illness, and it is clear to see that holistic healing has been a recurrent theme; healing requires aligning the body, mind and soul.  

Some people are sceptical about treatments that they perceive to be alternative, and they can sometimes be dismissive when someone finds relief and healing in holistic treatments. I have faced ridicule and have been mocked, but no-one has the right to invalidate my experience of healing and relief from symptoms, I will try anything to feel better. Critics will view alternative therapies as ‘Hocus Pocus’ and will try to shame those who believe in them, yet they may not have even tried such treatments. It is okay to have doubts but try to have compassion for others, and don’t challenge them to consistently defend themselves. We should not judge those who choose not to completely rely on conventional routes and try to get themselves involved in their own healing. This blog is not an attempt to convert the naysayers, but just an attempt to ask them to try to move away from preconditioned ideas about holistic treatments.

I fully believe that there are many facets to healing; and they are all part of the bigger jigsaw. I have experimented with many healing modalities including acupuncture, reflexology, reiki, hypnotherapy, sound-healing, homeopathy, yoga, meditation, qi gong, aromatherapy, biodynamic craniosacral therapy, and the list goes on. I have worked with so many compassionate healers who deal with the four bodies (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual), and they have absolutely solidified my belief in

earthly angels.

Nobody wants to stay sick and chronic illness can be extremely disempowering, but holistic therapy enables you to take control of your own healing and reminds you that you don’t have to bear this alone. Holistic treatments have so many benefits including helping you to deal with stress and anxiety, they are a form of self-care, and they afford you some time to reflect. The healers that I work with have such caring hearts; they talk to their clients about lifestyle, experiences, emotions, negative patterns, and unprocessed trauma; they deal with what is going on internally. It can be a great breakthrough moment when you realise that certain choices are not helping you to heal, and change is indeed necessary.

Chronic illness is at an all time high and doesn’t just impact the old; people in their twenties and thirties are diagnosed daily, and this blog is just a little nudge to encourage you to consider a holistic path to compliment a medical one. Surely its better to be proactive rather than reactive? I work on my healing every day, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.  Give your body, mind and soul what they need, steer your own ship and fight for your health. I will leave no stone unturned as I try to heal, I urge you to think outside the box and to do the same…

If this blog has raised any issues for you, please talk to a family member or friend, alternatively there are support agencies such as Bereavement Care (free helpline – 0808 808 1677).

The World is winding down, and unless we are front-line workers, most of us are living much simpler lives and are hibernating away for our health and well-being. How are you embracing your new humbler way of life away from the old fast-paced hectic one? Parkinson’s has taught me that decelerating works wonders for my health, and this pandemic is showing me that it may actually save my life. So, are you finding this time to be limiting or in fact liberating?

I am using this time to take stock, whilst not for a second forgetting the pain that others are going through, the financial worries that many people have, and indeed how much our key -workers are doing for us. Most of us have been forced to shed many of the accoutrements of our old lifestyles; and this breathing space away from the daily grind of spinning too many plates, may help us to reflect on what really matters, and also what doesn’t. Some of us may be wondering how we will ever go back to our old lives of rushing through the day flitting from task and trying to do more than is ever possible. Can you keep up that unsustainable pace for another 10/20 years? Do you even want to?

Parkinson’s gave me a permission slip to slow down, and it is my mission to help others to do the same. I do a lot of reading on neurological health, and neuroscientists show that our brains are not wired to handle so many activities simultaneously, it leads to burnout or worse; it’s a high price to pay! What do you want out of this second go at life? I urge you to use this time to reflect on what can be tweaked or even removed from your schedule, find balance, do some soul searching and get your mojo back. Pick happy over busy every time…

You may be starting to find joy in the simple things such as your home; you might never again get to spend this amount of time in it. My house is my place of sanctuary and safety, but I am fully aware that not everyone has that same refuge, and so for that reason, I am extremely appreciative and content with the home that I have.

We have all had to start shopping more consciously as food supply is limited and deliveries are not always accessible, and so many of us are living more within our means and have broken the cycle of endless shopping and consuming without thinking. There is also a greater appreciation of food and those who supply it, both of which we can tend to take for granted. Shopping sprees are on hold and so we may have found clothes that we haven’t seen in years, I know that I have underestimated how many clothes that I actually have and only wear half of what I own. I will most definitely be reflecting on what I spend my money on in the future.

Perhaps your attitude to your job will change? You may feel the desire to review how much time that you spend working. You might feel the need to reflect on how much your job encroaches on your personal time or how well you parent because of it. Is it impacting your health and stress levels? We all need to work to pay the bills, but we also need to be fulfilled and enjoy what we do. Now is the time to set clear boundaries between our work and home lives; saying ‘No’ in work does not mean that you are lazy, but it does mean that you are putting your well-being and your loved-ones first.

So, does your future life look the same as the old one?  Will you still race through life frazzled? I hope that we can all use this as a time for evolution and growth. Life throws us many curveballs, but I have learned to always count my blessings and appreciate all that I have. If you entered ‘lockdown’ stressed and overwhelmed, I sincerely hope that you leave it with a renewed zest for life. Not everyone will get that chance… 

Like many of you, I am frightened; I am extremely worried about elderly and vulnerable loved ones, our country, and what we will be left with when we get through this crisis. This is a period of change that none of us are prepared for physically, mentally or emotionally; but we have no choice other than to dig deep and to do all that we can to help ourselves, our families, the local community and those heroes working tirelessly for us in the NHS. I am currently writing from a privileged position in that I can self isolate and I have not been directly impacted by the virus, my heart goes out to those who are not as fortunate.  

I have been in isolation for the last two weeks, and so I have had a lot of time to reflect on what we are going through. I haven’t given a second thought to letting go of the many unimportant activities that have been part of my life for many years, but I have been thinking about the health of both myself and those whom I love, as in the end, nothing else matters.

We will never be the same people that we were just a few months ago; some of us might lose loved ones, some of us may fall ill, but I hope that all of us will emerge as better people, I believe that we owe that to those who will not survive this. We must resolve to learn from this tragedy and use this pain as a way to grow, we must turn our wounds into wisdom. The logo for my blog is a peacock feather; one of the reasons that I selected this is that it is believed that a hungry peacock will be willing to eat thorns when food is scarce, but these thorns produce wonderful feathers, something beautiful is created out of something so hard to digest, and so, I too, always try to turn my own thorns into peacock feathers.

Rock bottom is a  catalyst for change and I truly believe that  we are being urged to slow down, be still, renew, refocus, and to totally reassess our values. Many of us are key-workers who are still working outside of our homes, but the rest of us now have down time like we have never had before; it’s time for some silence and solitude.

It’s time to do an inventory of our lives.  Many of us will now have a greater appreciation for all that we already have and for our health. Sometimes we need to be pushed into circumstances to make us change. Our health matters so much more than the ‘stuff’ that we have, there is more to life than making money at the expense of our health and time with our families. Is it worth always striving for more whilst sacrificing what really matters?  

By the end of all of this we will have developed a resilience to cope with whatever comes our way, and hopefully we will stop ‘sweating the small stuff’. The things that we used to worry about seem so insignificant and pointless, life has thrown is a major curve ball that puts all else into perspective.

Hope is essential at this time, try to choose faith over fear. These are terrible times, but we have to carry on and hope for brighter days ahead. Trust that thing will not be like this forever, live in this moment and don’t worry about doomsday scenarios that have not and may not happen.

When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I learned to accept that I must give up control, and that is something that we must all surrender to in these difficult times. Many of us have a profound dislike of uncertainty, we cannot control what will happen over the coming months, but we can control how we react to it. We can choose to be selfish or to share, to help or to hinder, to socialise or to save lives. What’s it going to be?   

Loneliness affects all of us at one stage or another; it hugely affects those with both mental and physical health challenges and whilst technology connects us in so many ways, studies show that we are now more disconnected than ever. We are glued to our screens, we don’t talk on phones, and when we do meet up with others, we are too busy posting about it and taking selfies to take time to connect with those who we are with. We can give the appearance of having a fantastic life on social media but still be very lonely if we are craving ‘likes’ for our validation.

Loneliness certainly impacts those who have chronic illnesses; we feel different from those around us and that nobody understands what we are going through, we stand out, we are often seen to be ‘swinging the lead’ or lazy, and people will often stare at us which just adds to the isolation. Meeting new people can mean that we have to explain ourselves and our needs; all of this scrutiny just adds to our anxiety.  We lose our sense of identity and who we used to be and what we used to be able to do, we lose our independence, we are forced to leave behind our old identities to forge our ‘new normal’; all of which can be very distressing and traumatic. We often withdraw from social situations as we feel disconnected, crowds overwhelm us, but we do find solace in online forums or support groups where we are amongst our tribe and those going through the same issues that we are.

I am fortunate in that I love to be alone by choice and I need time alone to recharge after a period of ‘doing’ or being with others. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing support network who understand that I need to balance socialising with them alongside my own time to just be alone. Social connection is essential for cognitive development but so too is quiet time. I never take for granted how lucky I am to have a choice in the matter, and I appreciate those who let me either show up or decline offers as I decide.

I don’t have all the answers on how to help those who are lonely but I know that one way to help is to be kind to others, we have no idea what is going on in other people’s lives and it must be awful to look back on your day knowing that you have caused pain to someone else. Do you add to other people’s burden? Do you make people feel that they matter? Don’t underestimate the power of a kind act; kindness is a laudable trait that we should want to possess. Would people describe you as kind? You can be an amazing success financially, and in your career, but what matters most is how you treat people. I truly believe that what we put out will return to us; that can be unkindness on social media, thoughtlessness or trying to make ourselves feel better by bringing others down.

Equally, this kindness works both ways; resentment strikes when it is one way and none of us should be a doormat, kindness shouldn’t leave you drained and exhausted, it is good to be empathetic but not if you are risking your own mental health and fatigue. We can be supportive without trying to solve other people’s problems, we don’t have to be the solution as we are not the keeper of other’s happiness, just our own!

We are all dealing with something others may not know about and small acts of kindness can make more of a difference than we will ever know, those who are lonely often feel that nobody cares, so go on and show them that indeed somebody does…

I spend a lot of time researching how to calm my anxious brain and there is no doubt that exercise helps to promote relaxation and balance; this is not surprising given the connection between the body and the mind.

Exercise is often prescribed for people with mental health problems; it is clearly crucial to both our mental and physical health. In the past, my exercise programme was never balanced; it was either a famine or a feast, but I do find that my symptoms are helped immensely now that I make time for physical exercise.  I’ve said it repeatedly, but the health of my body is a manifestation of choices that I have made along the way, I will no longer be a passive victim, I am now taking responsibility for my own health. Exercise does wonders for my physical and mental health and most importantly my Parkinson’s symptoms.

So, do you prioritise physical exercise? Are you physically fit? Are you happy with your fitness levels? It’s tempting to give up on the New Year’s resolutions at this time of year and to stay in a warm cosy house rather than exercise outside or queue for machines at an over-packed gym, however, our bodies are our homes on Earth, so we must manage our lives to allow time for exercise. Are you concentrating on one area of your life at the expense of exercise? There comes a point when you realise that things need to change…

Research shows that only 10% of illnesses are determined by genetics, 90% are lifestyle related; and so the importance of exercise cannot be overstated.   Exercise helps our immune cells to fight disease and infection, it improves heart health and inflammation, it also reduces our chances of being diagnosed with many cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes and even dementia.  Walking is one of the best things that I can do for Parkinson’s as it improves brain function and releases dopamine, which my brain has stopped producing. Walking outdoors, particularly in nature, can be a euphoric experience for me, I can be physically exhausted but feel totally alive!  

Exercise also greatly improves mental health; it boosts your mood and releases your happy hormones, it gives your brain a break from its stresses and to-do lists, it is a great way to escape and to deal with anxiety and depression.  Exercise helps to release negative emotions, to live in the moment and to be in a state of peace. Taking this time for yourself helps you to connect to your body, take back control of your life, tune out the outside world and focus on yourself, it literally takes you away from it all.

Just get started; you don’t need fancy clothes or an expensive gym membership. Your house or the outdoors can be your gym, those who live longest aren’t necessarily doing 5 spin classes a week, they just move every day and throughout the day. Exercise doesn’t have to happen separately from life, integrate it into your day, walk in the morning, at lunch or in the evening, it doesn’t have to be about taking it to the extreme. Do exercise that you enjoy and you’re more likely to crave that dopamine hit. Aim for your 10,000 steps a day outside if the thought of a testosterone filled gym puts you off.

Strength training is just as important as cardio; you don’t need to aim for bulging biceps bursting out of a tight t-shirt, it’s not about vanity or looking like The Hulk, it’s about aiding your physical health. Loss of muscle accelerates as we get older and strength training improves bone density and even helps to prevent osteoporosis.  You won’t necessarily bulk up as this takes specific training and a specialised diet, but you will feel the psychological and physical benefits of pumping iron.

When you have a chronic illness, exercise becomes a blessing and not a chore, you are grateful for the movements that your body can make and will do anything to ensure that it continues, exercise is not about weight loss for me, that is just one of the side effects. I don’t ‘have’ to exercise, I am blessed that I ‘get’ to exercise, unfortunately there are so many people who don’t have this opportunity. I appreciate exercise as it is my workout for the body, mind and even my soul.

So, get the trainers on and go hustle for those muscles. Most importantly, don’t forget that shopping counts as cardio! Just do whatever you can to take care of your body and rest assured that it will thank you for it…

The modern world is exhausted! Most of us don’t have the time to get enough sleep; we then try to muster up the strength to power on through the day and by the end of it, we feel like we’ve run a marathon.  We feel the weight of never-ending to-do lists; we have too much to do and excessive demands are put on our time, consequently the time that we devote to sleep is being squeezed and squeezed.  Modern society pushes people to their limit; it encourages people to challenge themselves, to be achieving and to always be on the go, there is little thought to the cost and the impact on our health. We wear our tiredness like a badge of honour; it is a sign that we work hard and are tough, and it is a symbol of what great martyrs we are. I have no doubt that years of sleep deprivation was a key component in contributing to my early diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease; my body was screaming out for rest; I didn’t stop, and so it made me do just that! 

So, did you get enough sleep last night? Did you get your 8 hours? Did you allow your body and brain enough time to rest, recover and repair? Are you at a tipping point? I would imagine that most of you who are reading this would benefit from more sleep; I know that I would. We are not super-human and sleep is not a waste of time or indulgent. Our health is governed by the amount of sleep that we get; and so, it’s time to make some changes…

Our bodies and minds need rest, refusing to slow down greatly increases our risk of being diagnosed with a chronic or indeed terminal illness. Sleep influences all areas of our lives; it is essential for neurological, mental, physical and emotional health. Lack of sleep impacts every cell, tissue and organ; it affects stress levels, concentration and immunity. Cortisol levels surge when we are tired, and too much cortisol causes inflammation and chronic illness. When we are tired, we are more likely to crave junk food and fail to exercise. Sleep deprivation has been linked to reduced life expectancy, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, morbid obesity, cancer, and the list goes on… The health of my brain is an absolute priority to me, and so, I have to be selfish with my sleep, I must make time for myself. I am not lazy but I take every opportunity that I can do to get some rest and relaxation, I no longer feel guilty for allowing myself to have a break, I am just tuning in to what my body needs and refusing to damage my health any more than I already have done.

Alternatively, you may suffer from insomnia and will have spent last night staring at your phone in the hope of dropping off to sleep. You may have spent the night calculating how much sleep you would get if you fell asleep in the next five minutes. Not everyone can easily slip into a deep sleep. Many of us will stare at the ceiling for hours and our over-zealous brains will start to think about something that happened years ago and what we should have said and done, we might even reflect on every bad decision that we have ever made, or we make up imaginary situations that will most likely never ever happen. Well, there are many things that you can do to promote good sleep, they won’t work for everyone, but they are certainly worth trying…

Firstly, it is essential that you avoid food with chemicals and toxins as these are not helping your body to relax; your body is working overtime to cleanse itself of the harmful substances in junk food and alcohol. Sugar and toxins hardly have a sedative effect on the brain, instead they raise and elevate stress levels. Low carb diets also lead the body to go looking for energy, we need ‘good’ carbs to stay asleep. Plant foods containing calcium and magnesium can lower stress levels, and magnesium encourages the release of melatonin which is needed for sleep. Chamomile tea is very soothing and a great way to help your nervous system to unwind as you get ready for bed.  

I have already written about the benefits of meditation; it is an excellent way to help the body to relax, and there are so many excellent apps and resources on YouTube that can be availed of.  ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is growing in popularity as it induces feelings of relaxation; it has a meditative effect and can help anxiety. There are literally millions of ASMR videos on YouTube; they range from whispers to waves, and whilst it doesn’t work for everyone, it does help many others.

Those who exercise, particularly outdoors, report better sleep as it releases stress and endorphins. Yoga Nidra videos can be accessed online; these encourage total physical relaxation, release tension and calm the nervous system by helping the body to switch off.

So, to conclude; anything that stops you getting sleep needs to be addressed; find a way and take control. Say no to people pleasing and set some boundaries. Those who think that you are lazy are probably struggling with their own guilt about taking time out as they also want more sleep. You need to take responsibility for your health and well-being. Stop everything and be selfish. If you don’t do this for your own body, then who else will?