If you trouble sleeping, avoid nicotine, caffeine, sugar and alcohol!

Caffeine is a stimulant – it will wake you up and make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.  Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, fizzy drinks like cola, and even in chocolate.  It is also in some over-the-counter painkillers and other medicines (check the ingredients on the packet).

To improve your sleep, try to cut down on your caffeine intake during the day and to avoid it completely after your evening meal.  Also try to limit your sugar intake, which also has a powerful stimulating effect on the body.

Nicotine is another stimulant that can lead to sleeping difficulties, so smoking is unlikely to help, especially late at night.

Alcohol also disturbs your sleep.  Although you might drop off to sleep after drinking alcohol, it gives you a poor quality sleep that is not refreshing.  With alcohol, your sleep will be broken and less deep than usual.  It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol while you are on antidepressants.  This will help you to sleep well and get better soon.