Sleeping patterns are the result of your lifestyle choices and emotional wellbeing, so they’re going to say a lot about you as person.

It’s believed that one in three Brits struggle with insomnia, meaning that at least a third of the UK are suffering from irregular sleep patterns. This can have a detrimental effect on your social and work life.

In our latest guide, we go over five of the most common sleep patterns, some of which are positive and some of which are negative. Read on to see which one relates to you.

I can’t get through the day without a nap…

Naps are a wonderful way for you to recharge your batteries. A quick 20 to 30-minute nap in the day can help you regain your focus and energy.

Those who nap regularly are usually people who don’t get between the required seven to eight hours of sleep each night. However, if you’re getting a good night’s sleep, but still feel exhausted during the day then perhaps there’s an underlying reason behind your tiredness and a doctor’s assistance may be required.

Narcolepsy and sleep apnoea are the most common sleep disorders that can cause you to be extremely fatigued throughout the day, regardless of whether you’ve had a good sleep or not.

In the UK it’s believed that a whopping 1.5 million people suffer from sleep apnoea, whilst there are approximately 30,000 known narcolepsy sufferers in the country.

I enjoy spending the whole weekend sleeping…

There’s nothing abnormal about enjoying your weekends spending long periods in bed. Chances are that you struggle through the working week on less than seven hours sleep a night and try to make up for that time on your days off.

It’s important to remember that having a sleeping pattern that consists of sleeping for short periods during the week and sleeping for abnormally long periods at the weekend is not a sensible long term solution. Yes, you may feel rejuvenated ever so slightly but your body’s circadian rhythm isn’t going to allow you to make up for all the sleep you’ve lost.

Your circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock and lets you know when you feel awake, when you’re tired and when you’re at your most energetic.

By trying to make up for lost sleep and disrupting your circadian rhythm, you’re disrupting your natural sleep pattern, which could have a major effect on your mood, attention span and immune system. Surprisingly, it can also lead to an increased appetite too, potentially causing obesity.

I find it very difficult to wake up in the morning…

What Does Your Sleeping Pattern Say About You

If you’re struggling to get out of bed in the mornings, then you’re most likely having your sleep disrupted, or you’re going to sleep too late in the evenings.

86% of the British public are affected by night disturbances and these continued interruptions over time can end up having a major impact on your health and your state of mind.

There are many forms of disruption that can be very relatable to you, such as a snoring partner, a crying baby or barking dog. Unfortunately, there are some other, long term disorders that can be behind your lack of sleep, such as restless leg syndrome.

If you suffer from this syndrome, you can try to ease the symptoms by making a few lifestyle changes. This includes not smoking, exercising regularly and avoiding alcohol and caffeine before you go to bed.

By cutting out these habits and improving the environment you sleep in, then you’re bound to sleep better in the evenings, and you won’t fear early mornings as much.

I have no problem getting out of bed in the morning…

If you enjoy waking yourself early to make the most out of the day ahead then chances are that you have a very sensible and structured sleeping pattern.

You’re probably very productive and have limited time in the evenings. You may be a little more lenient with your bedtimes on the weekends, but the likelihood is that you don’t overdo it and stay awake into the early hours of the morning. This is arguably the best sleeping pattern to have for most people.

However, if you wake up early every morning, regardless of what time you’ve gone to sleep the night before, then you may have something called advanced sleep phase syndrome, where you’ve grown accustom to the repetition of waking up at the same time every morning. By refusing the urge to interact with artificial lights in the morning and resting in a dark setting, you’re going to increase your chance of getting back to sleep.

I have real trouble getting to sleep…

What Does Your Sleeping Pattern Say About You

There isn’t a straight forward answer to why you may not be able to get to sleep at night, but there are many reasons for why this could be happening to you.

If you’re suffering from either stress or depression, two conditions linked to insomnia, then you may have a really hard time getting to sleep. So it is important to treat these conditions properly to help ease the effects of insomnia.

If you struggle to clear your mind before you go to sleep, give yourself some time to wind down before you go to sleep, by reading a book or watching your favourite TV show. It is also a good idea to write a list of any outstanding chores or problems you need to solve before going to bed, as this will help prevent you lying there worrying about these tasks.

To stop yourself becoming preoccupied by sleep, it’s recommended to try and not think about it when you’re in bed and instead, relax and try to wait for your eyes to close naturally.

There are a number of other problems linked to sleep troubles too. These include eating too much close to bedtime, being too hungry, sleeping in for too long in the mornings or having too many ambient lights in your room.

One of the first steps to getting a good night’s sleep is by making sure that you are comfortable. We at the Odd Mattress company have an array of bespoke mattresses that are built for individual comfort. Get in touch today to order your very own mattress on 01772 786666.