Snooze control: Seven-day plan to get your sleep back on track

Our bodies are designed for sleep, so why do we struggle to get enough of it? A US psychologist has devised a week-long plan to help you get the rest you need 

Poor sleep patterns can increase age-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease and mental health problems.

We all need sleep, but individual needs differ. Everyone has their own unique and natural rhythms to help them drift off, but a poor sleeping pattern can make it difficult to get through the day. So, what can we do to get back on track? A psychologist may have the answers we’re looking for.

“The science of sleep shows convincingly that insufficient sleep is associated with increased rates of age-related conditions like cardiovascular disease and mental health problems,” says Dr Aric Prather, a professor at the University of California and author of The Sleep Prescription: Seven Days to Unlocking Your Best Rest.