Understand Your Sleep
Explore the science behind sleep.
Why we sleep
- Giving our body time to recover and repair itself (allows cells to repair and regrow)
- Improving how our memory functions
- Helping support a healthy brain and improving our mood
Sleep cycles
Not all sleep is the same – as we sleep, our brains go through a series of ‘sleep cycles’. Which are made up of two different types of sleep:
Rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep
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this type of sleep is vital for storing and sorting our memories from the day; the brain is very active, and this is when dreams are likely to occur
Sleep and ageing
- The body’s circadian rhythms can desynchronise, so that our bodily rhythms, such as melatonin release, are not aligned with the day/night cycle
- We are more likely to wake up during the night
- We are more likely to feel that our sleep is restless, light or of poor quality, and wake up feeling unrefreshed in the morning
- We are more likely to take daytime naps
- It can take longer to get over upsets to our normal sleep patterns
CIRCADIN Sleep Tracker
This easy to use app helps track your sleep data in a private and tailored way. Get valuable insights into your sleep patterns to help improve your sleep.
FAQs
Many people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Others feel that their sleep is restless, light or of poor quality. They wake up feeling unrefreshed. Everyone’s idea of a ‘good night’s sleep’ varies, so the amount of sleep considered ‘a problem’ for one person may not be an issue for someone else. However, sleep problems can start to arise when:
- You’re concerned about the lack of sleep, or your sleep quality
- It starts making you feel tired or sleepy during the daytime
- It’s affecting how well you function at work or when doing everyday activities.
If you are unsure about how well you sleep, try keeping a sleep diary to help keep track of your sleep patterns and how you are feeling.
Click here to download a sleep diary.
If you’re concerned about the amount or the quality of your sleep, it’s important to seek advice from your doctor or your pharmacist.
Poor sleep hygiene (sleep habits) is a common cause of sleep problems.
One of the most important steps in improving your sleep hygiene is to establish a regular sleep routine. This can involve maintaining regular pre-bed activities, keeping your bedroom surroundings relatively constant, and waking up at the same time each day. However, you should avoid going to bed if you aren’t tired, even if it means going to bed at irregular times.
Here are a few steps you could try:
- Avoid caffeinated drinks before going to bed
- Avoid napping during the day
- Limit your alcohol and cigarette use before bedtime
Learn more about sleep hygiene.
Click here to download a sleep hygiene fact sheet.
The sleep promoting effect of Circadin will take place from 1 to 2 hours after taking a tablet.
For the best effect, take Circadin as directed. (Circadin should be used regularly at the same time each day, after food and 1 to 2 hours before you go to bed). To approach your sleep issues holistically, we recommend you also follow good sleep hygiene practices.
Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
What is Circadin used for?
CIRCADIN has been clinically proven¥† to improve sleep quality, morning alertness and daytime functioning, and to decrease the time it takes to fall asleep.
†compared to placebo in adults aged 55 and over
Sleep problems
Everyone struggles with sleep occasionally, but if it keeps happening then seeking advice is the healthy thing to do.
¥Wade AG, et al. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007; 23(10):2597-2605; supported by Neurim.
References
- CIRCADIN® Consumer Medicine Information (CMI).
- Wade AG, et al. BMC Medicine. 2010;8:51. Funded by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Wade AG, et al. Curr Med Res Opin. 2007;23(10):2597-2605. Funded by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Zisapel N. Open Neuroendocrinology J. 2010;3:85-95.
- Luthringer R, et al. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009;24:239-249. Sponsored by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Haimov I, et al. Sleep. 1995;18(7):598-603. Funded by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- CIRCADIN® Product Information. Last amended 11 November 2020.
- Lemoine P, et al. J Sleep Res. 2007;16:372-380. Sponsored by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Arendt J, Skene DJ. Sleep Med Rev. 2005;9:25-39. Sponsored by Neurim Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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