Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

The pandemic may have changed your sleep habits, though sleeping more does not mean that you are sleeping well. So, if you’re one of those about to return to the office and finding it hard to get a good night’s sleep, it’s time to do something about it. Or if you have been struggling to fall asleep even before the pandemic, it is never too late to seek help. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Leow Leong Chai, director of the Sleep Disorders Unit, and a senior consultant at the Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine at the Singapore General Hospital, about the common sleep problems that the people in Singapore face, as well as the treatments available. He also sheds light on the spooky episodes that some people have experienced in their sleep, when they felt trapped in their bodies.

In the next episode out on May 4, Joyce Teo invites a prominent sleep researcher here to talk about customising sleep. He is Professor Michael Chee, director of the Centre for Sleep and Cognition as well as the Clinical Imaging Research Centre MR Operations at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:56 Common sleep myths

05:41 What is sleep paralysis and what to do if you're in one?

09:33 New sleep treatments available

13:40 Different severity and types of sleep problems

20:17 Self-treatment and when to seek help

Helplines
MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366ONLINE RESOURCES
•  mindline.sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani and Eden Soh 

Edited by: Eden Soh

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