Men's Health Week. Sleep focus

Gone are the days when it was cool to say you've only slept 3 hours. But in Ireland today there is still a lot of secrecy around peoples' sleep. Particularly for men. Here are some sleep insights to men's sleep and some sleep tips that aren't the usual. These are fundamental sleep tips that can help your sleep in the long term. Sleep tips are about creating long term successful sleep. 

 

1. Men are more prone to obstructive sleep aponea

This is a serious condition that can shorten your life. Talk to your GP if you are aware you are waking up gasping for air, feeling low and not sleeping like you want to

 

 

2. Men are more prone to snoring

Snoring can be a sign of a serious condition like sleep aponea. This can severely impact your health and the relationship health (if you share your bed). Snoring is now not simply “something annoying”. Snoring and daytime sleepiness could be a sign of something very serious. There is a national campaign in the UK called #Snore Yawn Warn to highlight this issue.

 

 

3. Men are less likely to ask for help or report insomnia than women

Women are currently 40% more likely to be diagnosed with insomnia than men. This is a combination of hormone changes affecting women's sleeping patterns and also men underreporting sleep issues to their GP  if they are unable to fall or stay asleep.

 

4. Mental health issues and sleep anxiety affects ALL humans

 

No matter who you are. Sleep issues are still a hidden silent topic with men. Especially older men.  Sleep anxiety is when your mind goes into overdrive when you hit the pillow. Just because you can fall asleep (good sleep latency) doesn't mean you don't have insomnia. Insomnia is linked to falling asleep (sleep latency), staying asleep (sleep maintenance - waking at 3am), being unable to go back asleep, and waking up before you want to. Combined with daytime sleepiness.

 

 

 

Our founder Síne Dunne is currently studying Sleep medicine at The University of Oxford, insomnia module. The sleep tips are from the World class Sleep Expert Colin Espie. 

 

For sleep questions get in touch at hello@siestsleep.com