The right quantity and quality of sleep is vital to our overall health. With regards to IBS poor sleep has been shown to have a direct effect on the severity of IBS symptoms the following morning. The internet is awash with tips for how to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep but here are the three key things I recommend, that will improve your sleep.

Sleep hygiene. This can be a toughie to implement if you’ve got into the habit of watching TV from bed or using your mobile phone into the bedroom. The advice is to only use your bedroom for sleep and sex.

Avoid blue light for at least an hour before bed. Another toughie if you’re in the habit of using your PC, notebook, e-reader, phone before bed. These devices emit bright light that decrease the production of melatonin. Melatonin plays a role in your natural sleep-wake cycle. Natural levels of melatonin in the blood are highest at night.

Wind down before you go to bed. Develop a regular routine in the evening that allows you to ‘put the day to rest.’ This could involve reading, meditating, listening to calming music, a soak in warm bath. If your mind is actively worrying spend 15 -20 minutes writing down all your worries before going to bed.

If you want to know more about how I can help you manage your Irritable Bowel Syndrome using hypnosis and other psychological techniques, please do get in touch today!