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Phone: 02 8217 8700 | Fax: 02 9211 7578 | email: info@nps.org.au | web: www.nps.org.au
MEDIA RELEASE
17 August 2009
Counting down to a good night’s sleep
For some people, getting a good night’s sleep can be a major problem. While the amount of sleep we
need decreases as we get older, quality of sleep is what will enable us to get the most out of the
following day.
The winter edition of MedicinesTalk, a newsletter written by consumers for consumers and published
by the National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS), looks at possible causes of sleep difficulties and
different ways to address these causes.
“A variety of factors can cause bad sleep. These include depression, stress, illness, pain, breathing
and snoring problems, restless legs syndrome and some medicines,” NPS CEO Dr Lynn Weekes
said.
“If you are experiencing problems sleeping it’s important to determine the underlying cause in order to
treat it properly. Ask your GP or pharmacist for information about ways to help improve the quality of
your sleep,” Dr Weekes said.
Some simple methods to improve the quality of your sleep include:
Wake and get up at the same time each morning, even if you’ve had a bad night’s sleep.
Avoid napping during the day, especially in the afternoon.
Regular exercise and sunshine help you sleep better, so be active and spend time outside
during the day.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks (tea, coffee, cocoa and cola) in the evening:
have a bedtime cup of warm milk or a carbohydrate snack instead.
Get your body into ‘going to sleep’ mode by winding down with quiet activities and a regular
‘going to bed’ routine in the hour or so before bedtime.
Don’t read or watch TV in bed.
Learn some relaxation techniques, and use them when you can’t get to sleep.
If you can’t get to sleep, get up and do something until you feel tired.
Sleeping tablets are sometimes prescribed for short term or occasional use. Sleeping tablets may give
you a less deep sleep and can also have serious side effects. They should always be used with care
—
follow your health professional’s instructions and make sure they know about any other medicines
you are taking.
For further information and to read the other articles in this edition of MedicinesTalk visit
ENDS
Media enquiries to Katie Butt, NPS Media Adviser, 0419 618 365 or kbutt@nps.org.au
The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, non-profit organisation for Quality Use of
Medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
NEWS 
