New research reveals that as a nation, many of us are too stressed to sleep, which is having a detrimental impact on our overall health.
Shuteye, slumber, rest – a healthy amount of sleep is vital to aid rejuvenation, encourage muscle growth, tissue repair and hormone re-balance.
But according to new research commissioned for Dragonfly Biosciences, makers of cannabidiol (CBD) supplement – DragonflyCBD –40% of people have trouble sleeping when they’re feeling stressed.
And the NHS says the knock-effect this has on our health and our immune system is a real health worry.
While a bad night sleep here and there won’t have a lasting impact on your health, a combination of sleepless lights can have a very serious impact on your mind and body.
GP, Dr Gill Jenkins says: “A lack of sleep can have real impact on our health and wellness, including our immune system and general mood. Poor sleep can lead to irritability and exhaustion – long term, the effects can be bad news and exacerbate health conditions”.
According to NHS England: “Your brain will fog, making it difficult to concentrate and make decisions. You’ll start to feel down, and may fall asleep during the day. Your risk of injury and accidents at home, work and on the road also increases.”
The average person experiences disrupted sleep more than twice a week, achieving just six hours each day (the lower end of the NHS recommendation of 6-9 hours for optimal night-time recovery).
Too stressed to sleep? Follow this advice
To help the nation hit the pillow restfully, DragonflyCBD has teamed up with pharmacist, Sultan Dajani to provide you with 5 top tips for a decent night’s sleep.
Tip 1: Switch off
Stay clear of mobile devices 30 minutes before sleep. Turn off your mobile phone, avoid the iPad and don’t watch any late night tv. The mind interprets the blue light of screens as daylight, which triggers your brain to stay functioning. So, put the phone away and instead why not read a book right before bed?
Tip 2: Stay in time
Attempt to go to bed and sleep at the same time every night. Set a bed time of say 10pm and stick to it – let your body and mind get into the rhythm that this is switch off time and eventually it should play off. Oh, and avoid napping throughout the day wherever you can.
Tip 3: Cut down on caffeine
Caffeine in coffee and energy drinks can overstimulate your mind and interfere with your body’s ability to fall asleep. So, avoid such drinks in the late afternoon and early evening; instead switch your late-night coffee for a warm, milky drink or a calming herbal tea.
Tip 4: Calm your bedroom
Create a calming sleeping environment to sleep in. That means no TV, no smartphones, no loud music in the bedroom… at all. Control the temperature and lighting to induce a sense of calm; perhaps try essential oils, light a candle or dim the lights. Comfy cushions and plush pillows are also a must to get the best out of your bed.
Tip 5: Don’t stress – that’ll make it worse
We know stress can cause sleep problems, so don’t lay in bed stressing that you can’t sleep. If you are laying wide awake, get up, have a little walk of the house, do a crossword, read a book, use the bathroom and go back to reset the sleep session.
More and more people are turning to natural therapies to seek comfort when sleeping. In fact, the DragonflyCBD® research shows that almost three in five people (58%) say they’d try a CBD oil.
CBD is becoming increasingly popular following the media attention given to the recent change in Drugs Regulation that made medical cannabis available on prescription for the first time since 1971 for certain conditions such as intractable epilepsy.
CBD has shown benefit for sleep in a clinical trial involving 103 adult patients. The retrospective study in a psychiatric clinic involving clinical application of CBD for anxiety and sleep complaints as an adjunct to usual treatment, found that sleep scores improved within the first month for two thirds of patients (67%).
CBD is a food supplement and is available over the counter (OTC). It is made with quality graded ingredients according to good manufacturing practice. CBD is commonly taken for sleep problems, stress, anxiety, chronic pain, arthritis, joint pain, and tension headaches.
DragonflyCBD is a cannnabidiol-based product derived from Cannabis Sativa L plants. It is different from cannabis as it is free from THC, which causes a ‘high’ as a result of binding with the CB1 receptors. Whilst both THC and CBD bind with the CB2 receptors, CBD, unlike THC does not bind with the CB1 receptors and so does not produce a high.
DragonflyCBD is available over the counter as a food supplement. It was the first cannabis-derived product to be sold in a number of respected retailers.
CBD is being researched for a range of health challenges, from anxiety and depression, to sleep issues and pain. Evidence from pre-clinical and clinical trials has demonstrated an antianxiety effect for CBD, and some preliminary research shows that CBD can influence sleep. CBD may also reduce the physiological response to stress and there is evidence that CBD reduces inflammation and pain.
