Why can’t I sleep at the moment? Here’s what an expert had to say

There are lots of things you can do to aid a good night’s sleep.

Ensuring you have the best pillow for maximum comfort, spritzing with lavender and keeping your bedroom at a cool temperature are just some of the things you can try. But what about when none of that seems to be working?

During lockdown, Google searches for ‘why am I so tired?’, ‘why can’t I sleep?’, and ‘why have I been having vivid dreams?’ are up massively. Many of us are struggling to drift off and – even once we do – keep waking up at intervals throughout the night.

Not only have we had a heatwave to contend with, but we’re also being bombarded left, right and centre with anxiety-inducing news stories – not to mention the fact that our routines have been severely disrupted.

MORE: Why the sleep we get before midnight is the most important

Sound familiar? You’re not the only one feeling this way.

#cantsleep has been trending on twitter this week, with social media users sharing their sleep struggles at all hours of the night.

‘Is today a specific day that *everyone* can’t sleep or are we all just insomniacs that have never got this hashtag trending before?’ said one tweeter.

‘5am UK time….I’ve been lying awake since 3am…tomorrow’s going to be fun – not #cantsleep’  wrote another. 

While a third said, ‘Been awake since 3 am, second day running Finally decided to go online and see I’m not alone… #cantsleep‘

Why can’t I sleep at the moment?

Here’s what an expert had to say on the matter. James Wilson, AKA The Sleep Geek, told Stylist.

“I think there are a number of factors contributing to poor sleep at the moment. Five months into the pandemic and our anxiety and stress around it is still quite high, and we are now returning to work and school so our routines are changing again,.

“This coupled with the warm weather which is keeping us awake, and our windows being open which means we are being disturbed by outside noises means it is a lot more difficult to sleep at the moment.”

If you want some tried and tested advice on how to sleep better, you can read our guide).

Good luck with your slumbers tonight!