Sleep is something that it’s incredibly important we pay close attention to for our physical health and mental wellbeing. Or so we are led to believe by the media. But acclaimed sleep physiologist Stephanie Romiszewski has a different take on this. She says that we have to stop worrying about sleep, as this is doing more harm than good.

Stephanie is the founder of Sleepy Head Clinic and has a course on the BBC called Better Sleep, and this week Paul talks to her about sleep in midlife. We discuss how it changes as we age, and what we should be doing - and not doing - to ensure our sleep patterns are natural and restorative without becoming a focus for our lives.

We talk about why consistent wake-up times are more important than rigid bedtimes, how to manage poor sleep without spiraling into frustration, and the science behind light exposure in regulating our body clocks. Stephanie also explains why popular sleep aids and strict ‘sleep hygiene’ routines might not be as effective as they seem.

She also highlights the importance of understanding sleep systems, like your sleep drive and circadian rhythm, and offers strategies to rest better without creating unhealthy habits.

Whether you’re a lifelong insomniac or someone looking to optimise your overall wellbeing, Stephanie’s practical, science-back advice will bust some common myths, improve your sleep habits and change the way you think about sleep forever.

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Find out more about Stephanie’s personalised sleep support at www.sleepyheadclinic.co.uk or check out her online course at www.re-sleep.com

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You can read the full transcript for this episode at www.middlemanpodcast.com/transcript-sleep