While we treat and advise patients on injuries, here at the Forge we believe that you need a good foundation for good health. We always encourage our patients to eat as well as they possibly can, drink plenty of water and to ensure they get enough sleep.

We are all trying to cram so much in that we often end up eating into our sleeping hours. Being tired can cause you to be grumpy and less efficient in the short-term, but in the long-term, studies have shown that lack of sleep can lead to obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Sometimes, we can’t help cutting into our sleeping hours – if there’s a plane to catch or a big event, we might end up getting up earlier or going to bed later than usual. When you’re ill, you can also feel tired, no matter how much sleep you’ve had at night. Stress can also be very draining and can leave you feeling exhausted.

We’d like to suggest that rather than pushing through tiredness, you take a nap. Here are our tips for squeezing a nap into your busy schedule.

Take a ‘disco nap’
If you know you’re going to be out late, schedule in a ‘disco nap’ before the event. This will give you a little boost before you leave so you’re less likely to flag.

Say no
After a late night, don’t take up any invitations that are going to keep you on the go. Take the time instead to catch up on some sleep – when you wake up, you’ll feel much better and can go out then! Bear this in mind for holidays too; if you have to catch an early flight and travel at the other end, don’t make plans for your first day, although your body to rest and recuperate first.

Listen to your body
If you’re ill and feeling constantly tired – sleep. Don’t try and catch up on work, rest is what is your body craves because that is the best way to heal it. It’s much easier to catch up on work with a clear head than to check any mistakes you might have made while tired!

You can find out more about the benefits of napping here. If you’re struggling with insomnia, give us a call to find out more about how hypnotherapy can help you.