Sleep is something that easily gets put on the back burner when you’re busy.

From pushing back bedtime to meet a deadline to missing out on a few hours of sleep due to shifts at work, many people cut back on hours that should be spent in bed.

Furthermore, it’s been estimated that 20–30% of the general population may experience poor sleep, hence missing out on vital rest time.

This lack of sleep can result in you feeling lethargic, grumpy and tired. If you often feel this way, you may want to consider whether you’re getting enough sleep.

It’s recommended that you aim for around 7 hours of sleep per night, although some people require a little more and others need a little less.

If you don’t sleep as much as you need to, you can try winding down from your day with relaxing behaviors before bed. This could be taking the time to have a bath, reading a book or getting into bed half an hour earlier than usual.

You should also try to avoid using phones and other screens around bedtime. The use of screens before bed has been linked to poor sleep quality, lack of sleep and increased sleepiness through the day.

If you’re trying to get more sleep but are struggling due to worries and stress keeping you awake at night, you could try meditation or mindfulness practices to calm your busy mind.

If you often feel tired throughout the day, you may need more quality sleep. Try going to bed earlier and reducing screen time before bed.