Who gets enough sleep?
This question is even more relevant for women who are far more likely to report insomnia than men - for lots of reasons. Women have a greater prevalence of anxiety and depression which can affect sleep. The hormonal fluctuations of menstruation cycles, pregnancy and menopause have a huge impact. And who gets up for children, the elderly and the sick during the night? Juggling work and home duties reduces relaxation time and increases stress – playing havoc with sleep.
“Whilst for a lot of women, getting the uninterrupted eight hours sleep that they had in the past may be unlikely, the reality is that it is possible to learn strategies that will assist with sleeping,” said Lyn Pagan from the Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre (BMWHRC).
She is running a program for women, called “Getting a Better Night’s Sleep”.
“These strategies, plus the support that women get from one another, means that this program has been one of the ongoing successes of the group program that we run at the centre,” she said.
“Some of the issues to be covered include what to do when you can’t get to sleep in the first place or keep waking up, food, environment, relaxation techniques and the role of medications in both helping with sleep and preventing sleep.”
Costing $25, the course will be run at the BMWHRC, 124 Lurline Street, Katoomba on Wednesdays from 10am–noon for six weeks from February 28. Bookings are essential. Phone 4782 5133.
