Some great thoughts and ideas on everyone’s responses. Very interesting to read.

I like the term “developing a good sleep hygiene”.

When I’m at my best, I find it helps if I stick to a set sleep time window, and one that is realistic - even if it is short to begin with. So go to bed at the same time and get out of bed at the same time. This isn’t easy at first, but it’s worth bearing with it.

The aim is to see the bedroom as a place purely for sleep. All too often it is easy to drift into a mindset where going to bed is associated with fear and anxiety over whether or not you will sleep. So no reading in bed, no electronic devices, no TV, as all of these things will hinder the sleep process.

I make sure I stop using my mobile phone, or any electronic devices at least an hour before bed. I usually sit and read a book in as low a light setting as is comfortable.

As soon as I get up in a morning I step outside to get natural light for at least 15 minutes, and try and ensure I’m out and about getting as much natural daylight as possible in the first third of the day. I appreciate this is a tough one, depending on your work and family commitments.

I also try and do a walk for at least thirty minutes, or a cycle ride at some stage during the day, but not too late in the evening.

If for some reason I still can’t sleep, then I will get up, but just for a short period, and go to another room (not the bedroom) to read a book, and then go back and try again.

Cutting out stimulants, such as alcohol and caffeine will also help, but it may take a few days, weeks, to adjust and get it out of your system.

It’s not easy, and it takes hard work.

Jeff.