Back

Sleep well

One really important way to make sure we are Looking After Ourselves is to SLEEP WELL!

When you’re sleeping your body and brain are doing lots of AMAZING THINGS!

Sleep is more important than you might think...

TAP on the cards to reveal why...

Amazing Fact 1
Fact 1
Amazing Fact 2
Fact 2
Amazing Fact 3
Fact 3
Amazing Fact 4
Fact 4
Amazing Fact 5
Fact 5
Fact 1

You grow in your sleep!

When you are asleep your body gets a chance to rest before the next day.

During sleep your brain is also releasing the growth hormone - what you need to GROW!

Fact 2

Your brain is working hard even when you're asleep!

Your brain also sorts out all the information from the day, stores the bits it needs in your memory (like times tables!) and builds new connections.

Fact 3

You create your dreams!

When you are sleeping your brain is busy making sense of everything that has happened during the day.

This is why we have dreams.

Fact 4

Sleep on it!

Sometimes after a good night’s sleep something that has been difficult or confusing can seem a little easier to do or understand.

Fact 5

Dreams aren’t real!

Bad dreams or nightmares can feel horrible - but they can’t hurt you.

If you want to keep your brain amazing, sleep is really important.

When you’re sleeping your body and brain are doing lots of important tasks like repairing daily wear and tear, making sense of what’s happened during the day and storing information in your memory.

Have a go at the quiz below to see who needs more sleep...

Who needs more sleep

vs

Well done!

A Koala needs 18 - 20 hours, a Pig needs 8 hours.

Oops! Have another go

vs

Well done!

A Pig needs 8 hours, a Giraffe needs 30 minutes.

Oops! Have another go

or
vs

Well done!

An Elephant needs 4 hours, a Giraffe needs 30 minutes.

Oops! Have another go

or
vs

Well done!

A Cat needs 16 hours, an Elephant needs 4 hours.

Oops! Have another go

On average, how much sleep do you think someone your age needs?

TAP on your answer...

Hmmm. That’s probably not quite enough at your age. If that’s all you’re getting every night then you might find you are tired or grumpy during the day.

This is nearly enough sleep - but if you notice you are feeling tired during the day then you might want to get to bed a little earlier.

That’s right. Experts think this is the amount of sleep you need to be at your best the next day.

It’s not always easy to get to sleep.

Can you spot the 9 things in the
picture below that are making it
difficult for Ed...

TAP the things you think will be
making it harder for Ed to go to sleep.

Ed Sleeping scene Television Computer Mobile Phone Lamp Sugary Food and Drinks Thermometer Open Curtains clock Games Console

Well spotted! It's going to
be hard for Ed's brain to get
ready for sleep if the TV is on...

×

Correct! Playing exciting games
before bed makes it very hard
to get to sleep.

×

That's right! Ed's going to
find it hard to get to sleep
if he is using his phone...

×

There is too much light
here as well!!!

×

All this sugary food and
drink just before bed will
certainly keep Ed awake...

×

That's right - it's far
too hot in here!!!!

×

Yes - there is lots of
light coming in because the
curtains are open.

×

That's really late!
Ed won't get enough sleep and may be tired or grumpy tomorrow.

×

Playing exciting computer games before bed will keep your brain very active and make it harder to have a good night's sleep.

×

You have found all of the
things that are making it
hard for Ed to sleep.

Not getting enough sleep can
feel horrible. You can end
up feeling...

Sad

Confused

Grumpy

Argumentative

There are lots of things you can do that can help you get a good night’s sleep.

TAP on the cards to reveal Ed's top tips!..

Sleep Tip 1 Sleep tip 1
Sleep Tip 2 Sleep tip 2
Sleep Tip 3 Sleep tip 3
Sleep Tip 4 Sleep tip 4
Sleep Tip 5 Sleep tip 5
Sleep Tip 6 Sleep tip 6
Sleep Tip 7 Sleep tip 7
Sleep Tip 8 Sleep tip 8
Fact 1

Try to go to bed at the same time every evening. This helps your body know what time it should get ready to sleep.

Fact 2

Try not to drink sugary or energy drinks in the evening. The sugar can make it harder to get to sleep.

Fact 3

Playing exciting games before bed time can make it harder for your brain to get ready for rest. So – try not to play computer games for at least 30 minutes before bed time.

Fact 4

A snack or hot drink before bed can help you get to sleep. Be careful though! A big meal before bed can make it harder to sleep.

Fact 5

If you are feeling anxious or stressed from a difficult day, try using Ed’s favourite muscle relaxation exercise to help you relax before going to sleep.

Fact 6

If you have a television on as you fall asleep it can make it more difficult for your brain to calm down and get the rest it needs to be amazing.

So switch off the T.V before bedtime!

Fact 7

Try and make sure the room where you sleep is as comfy as possible. It can be hard to sleep if it is too hot or too cold or too noisy.

Fact 8

Keep a notebook or piece of paper by your bed. If you get a worry before going to bed, or when you are trying to sleep, write it down and come back to it the next day.

Relax