originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:54 PM

Yes I agree @lanejane @j95 is a great and valued member of the RO community and a bomb in the GR sessions!

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:53 PM

Goodnight everyone and I hope you all sleep well 🙂

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:52 PM

Thanks guys ❤️ happy to be part of the conversation

 

 

oh and @FootyFan26, if you need any advice regarding HSC and such, i am happy to share my experiences! Feel free to make a topic and talk about it!

 

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:51 PM

@j95 what a good personal story. thanks for sharing your experiences. you're such good value to GR and RO

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:45 PM

@FootyFan26 you can always make a post in our hanging out or everyday life stuff sections too if you want to keep chatting tonight after GR.

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:47 PM

sure @lanejane I shouldn't stay up too late though. I need to get some sleep!!!!! 😉

 

Pun totally intended

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:34 PM

i am 100%%%%% in agreement about the noise thing j.

 

WHY ARE YOUR HOUSEMATES SHOWERING AT 3AM

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:36 PM

I dont know @lanejane thats what I said!!
someone in my house thinks they would be more successful in getting some hot water if they had a shower at 3am and then go back to bed rather than in the morning after everyone else, fair call but ANNOYING!

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:38 PM

okay guys, here comes the very last question for tonight (and i think you're all going to smash it)

 

9. What are you going to do this week to make sure you get the right amount of sleep?

 

if you're stuck for answers why don't you tell me one tip you have picked up from someone else in tonights GR!

 

 

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:39 PM

What are you going to do this week to make sure you get the right amount of sleep?

 

I want to stick to a routine this week. Sleep before midnight and make sure to get 7+ hours of sleep and get in some exercise whilst I'm at it 🙂

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:44 PM

What are you going to do this week to make sure you get the right amount of sleep?

 

Nothing.  I don't need much sleep so any amount of sleep is sufficient enough for me except for none!

 

Maybe getting off the computer earlier could help though.

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:49 PM

Well guyssssss - the time has come.

 

 

Thanks for an amazing discussion tonight guys!! You all had some amazing tips and I really hope we are all leaving tonights session understanding a bit more of the (mainly positive!) impact sleep has on our lives!

 

To summarize tonight, we started off with some cool quick facts and learnt some interesting things! Some of which we didn't know and which surprised us a lot! If you missed the beginning, they were that:

A. Teenagers, on average, need about 9 hours sleep a night.
B. After missing a night's sleep, driving skills are similar to those of someone who is drunk driving.
C. Ideally, naps should be around 20 minutes long.

We then chatted about our own sleeping patterns ways that we know we probably haven’t had enough sleep. This includes:
- stress, over thinking, anxiety
- poor time management
- being upset
- relationship problems

 

Did you know about 90% of young people are sleep deprived! SO it’s no wonder sometimes we have a tough day at school or work!

We all seem to agree that sleep is great for us and has MANY benefits including:
- mood
- we get along better with people
- concentration/motivation
- we look better with sleep and as a result feel more confident!
- motor skills and our general wellbeing

We also discussed our sleeping rituals and things that we like to do to help us sleep. Remember some of these mightn't work for you but might help others!

 

Some of our ideas include:
- getting into a pre-sleep routine to calm you down. E.g. no technology, have a shower.
- having no technology in your room, especially your phone
- sprinkling lavender oil on your pillow.
- ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise.
- sleeping mask if it's light outside.
- progressive muscle, berating and visualisation techniques and meditation to help relax you
- getting out of bed if you can't sleep and doing something else (lying in bed for hours is NOT helpful!)
- using your bed only for sleep.
- listening to calming music before bed.
- clearing your mind (write down what is worrying you before you go to bed).
- make sure the room is the right temperature for you

We also chatted about tips for people who may be struggling with their sleep which included:

 

- Try to create a routine for yourself to make sure you've done everything you need to and are in bed at a certain time.

- Try and cut down on food, alcohol and caffeinated drinks before bed.

- Do some exercise during the day to help you be tired later but try not to exercise before bed because it releases adrenaline which makes you more alert.

- Try not to look at any bright lights half an hour to an hour before because they give a signal to your brain that there's still light and you should be working.

- Try and do something that relaxs you before bed. Eg - read a book, stretch, shower... whatever floats your boat.

- Listen to some light tunes or the sound of whales talking

- Count sheep! (you never know!)

 

Remember if your sleeping problems are continuing for a long time, it's important that you talk to a health professional - your GP or a psychologist. There are heaps of other things that can help you get a good nights sleep that they can help you with!

 

Well – thanks again everyone. It's been a really informative session. For more information check out the Reach Out factsheets on sleep!

 

Recharge sleep app: http://au.reachout.com/recharge-sleep-app

Sleep problems: http://au.reachout.com/all-about-sleep-problems

What’s a normal amount of sleep? http://au.reachout.com/whats-a-normal-amount-of-sleep

Getting a good nights sleep: http://au.reachout.com/how-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep

All about sleep disorders: http://au.reachout.com/all-about-sleep-disorders

 

 

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:52 PM

Thanks @lanejane and @ruenhonx for running an awesome GR tonight I learnt heaps!

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:39 PM

9. What are you going to do this week to make sure you get the right amount of sleep?

hahaha exam week. So 2 hour sleep, HERE I COME!

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:41 PM

Awww no @lovin each day take care of yourself and take lots of 20 minute naps 🙂 Goodluck with your exams 

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:43 PM

@ruenhonx
The funny thing is, I know no matter how tired I am i will crush into the bed after I finish my last exam and only to wake up 6 hours later xD
And thanks!

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:41 PM

. What are you going to do this week to make sure you get the right amount of sleep?

Plan my time better so i spend less time on the internet and more time sleeping. so make a plan for when i get home from work, do the things i need to do then go to bed, no funny business in between.

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:41 PM

noooooooo @lovin each day

 

what about one thing you can do tonight to get sleep?

 

block out some noise? put your computer down for 20 mins before bed?

 

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:31 PM

@lanejane I tried it once...

It was so boring!  For some reason it made me think more and stay awake for even longer.

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:31 PM

@lanejane it never works for me 😞 I lose count then I have to start again. So frustrating.

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:26 PM

If it was serious I would also suggest chatting to a GP or checking out some information on Reachout.

 

Think you can also get sleep vitamins? But a GP would help with that if thats what you needed.

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:28 PM

@lanejane yeah you can, i was on some not long ago, they are all short term so your body doesn't adjust to them too much. I was worried my body would rely on them for sleep when i was done with them but it didnt. still dont get a lot of sleep but better than it was. 

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:22 PM

@lanejane Affect.

Effect is the actually thing that's affecting you if that makes sense.

originally posted on 15-06-2015 9:16 PM

How do you think sleep affects your mental health?

 

I remember when I slept for 2 hours a day last year for a week, at the end of the week I got so jumpy I got scared when my dog licked my hand. haha So only do it unless I absolutely have to.