Everyone deserves a good sleep
Speak to your Discount Drug Store pharmacist about sleep health today.*
Sleep Health with Discount Drug Stores
Are you one of the nearly 4 in 10 Australian adults not getting enough good‑quality sleep?1 Healthy sleep refers to not only the quantity of sleep but also the quality.
The amount of sleep we require varies between people with time spent asleep and quality of sleep generally reducing with age. This is because as we get older, our bodies tend to produce less melatonin which is a natural hormone made in the body that regulates our sleep-wake cycle.
Melatonin levels can also be affected by not getting enough sleep, or changes in sleep times from traveling across time zones or doing shift work. Other things that can reduce our melatonin production include intake of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine as well as exposure to the artificial blue light from our TVs, phones, and other electronic devices, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Need help getting the sleep of your dreams?
Why do we sleep?
Sleep is vital to our health and survival! It is important for restoration of physical and mental health, ensuring our body and mind can function properly. That is why lack of sleep can affect us in many ways both physically and mentally.
While your body may be relaxed and still, there are many important functions taking place to help you recover and reflect on the day while preparing for the next, including:
- Keeping the immune system strong
- Keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy
- Growth and healing
- Helping to control appetite and weight
- Promoting attention, memory and learning
What are the effects of poor sleep?
Poor sleep may refer to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or not feeling your sleep is restorative.
Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep can lead to:
- Inability to concentrate and poor memory
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Headaches Irritability and lowered mood
- Increased likelihood of mistakes or accidents
- Increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety or depression
Long-term lack of sleep may lead to more serious medical problems such as chronic pain, diabetes, obesity, and heart problems.
Some people may have underlying medical conditions or sleep disorders that can cause sleep disturbance and it is important these are treated.
These include:
- sleep apnoea
- reflux
- restless leg syndrome
- teeth grinding
- pain
- anxiety
- depression.
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression or sleep disturbance you are not alone. Talk to your friendly Discount Drug Store pharmacist, seek help from your GP or call a support service such as those listed below:
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids helpline 1800 551 800
Mensline 1300 78 99 78
Sometimes sleeping difficulties can take place for no apparent reason.
If you are experiencing sleep disturbance, your Discount Drug Store pharmacist can help you by providing strategies to help improve your sleep health, which may include identifying and avoiding factors that contribute to poor sleep and provide you with professional advice and support.
*Short-term treatment of primary Insomnia (Insomnia without an underlying medical or other clear cause) characterised by poor‑quality sleep in adults aged 55 or over. Ask your pharmacist about this product.
1. www.healthdirect.gov.au/sleep