Sleep Expert | Keynote Speaker | Consultant | Sleep and performance science made simple
I recently took part in a webinar for the British Heart Foundation to provide advice for cardiac patients and their families. You can catch up on the 'Live & Ticking' recording here.. https://lnkd.in/eAnEbpMj My PhD was funded by the BHF, and my Dad's ticker is still ticking largely because of BHF funded research, so this is a charity close to my heart ❤️ 😉 The hero of the event was Alice, pictured here. She bravely shared how anxious and lonely she had felt waking up in the middle of the night, short of breath, many months after her heart attack. She described the relief of speaking to a BHF Cardiac Nurse on the Heart Helpline. “To be able to speak to someone who had knowledge, and who understood why I was afraid, was absolutely invaluable.” Sleep problems are very common for those living with heart conditions, but that doesn't mean they are inevitable. The more you worry about lack of sleep, often the worse it becomes. I recommend doing the basic things well... - ⏰ Wake up at the same time every day - ☀ Get plenty of natural daylight in the mornings, even when it's raining (though not if storm Ciaran is on the rampage ⛈ .. sit by a window instead) - 🚶♂️ Take time out each day to do something active - speak to your medical team about low risk exercise, but a walk is a great place to start - 🧘♀️ Give yourself a chance to wind down and relax in the evening before you get into bed.. relaxing music, a good book or a warm bath will help - 📗 If you often feel worried or anxious, the habit of daily journalling can help to download thoughts, and stop them whizzing around your head at night Crucially, if you are managing a chronic condition, let your medical team know if your sleep is skewiff, or if you're feeling anxious and they will be able to help support you to get things back on track #bhf #sleep #hearthealth
Specialist Occupational Therapist at Vitality360
10moAs usual, some great advice Sophie Bostock, PhD. Thank you. The advice runs across a lot of long term conditions. We talk to our clients with #fatigue and #pain about this a lot of the time.