Health HOW TO SLEEP BETTER Trouble sleeping? Read on to discover some useful ways to help you nod off Words: Victoria Goldman L ots of people have struggled to sleep properly since the start of the pandemic, and many people find that having a chronic condition such as arthritis makes their sleep problems worse. A study published in the Pain journal in July 2022 found that chronic pain and sleep problems often occur together. Arthritis pain can make it difficult to sleep at night, and poor sleep can exacerbate joint pain, resulting in a vicious cycle, says Dr Alastair Dickson, GP and health economist with an interest in rheumatology and arthritis. The cause of why poor sleep aggravates our joint pain is not fully understood. One theory is that poor sleep can exacerbate joint inflammation. Our perception of pain can also be more pronounced at night. Here are some simple things you could try to help you fall asleep faster and sleep better. Stick to a routine Create a regular sleep pattern to maintain your bodys natural sleepwake cycles. Set an alarm for the same time each morning, says Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, physiologist, sleep expert and author of Tired but wired. Make waking up at the same time just as important as going to bed at a consistent hour. Check your bed The Sleep Council recommends getting a new mattress every seven 10 Inspire Autumn 22 pp10-11 Sleep.indd 10 16/08/2022 16:44