Sleep debt: Feeling tired after the heat?

We all endured a few sleepless nights this week as parts of the country enter an official heatwave, do you feel sluggish? You may be experiencing sleep debt.

Many people have some degree of sleep debt every day. It is recommended that we get at least seven to eight hours of rest each night, any time under this is referred to as debt and leaves us tired in the day.

It is all because of a chemical known as adenosine which builds in the day making us tired. This is then metabolised while sleeping but without enough hours it starts to build up.

The UK experienced its hottest day of the year on Saturday, with temperatures reaching 32.2°C in Chertsey, Surrey.

Due to this many of us struggled to get to sleep, or woke during the night breaking our sleeping patterns.

This resulted in uncomfortable, sleepless nights, groggy days, and the accumulation of sleep debt.

As temperatures continue to rise towards the peak of summer, we may struggle to get our full eight hours in, many of us may still be feeling the impact.

To rebalance your sleeping pattern a short nap, no longer than 20 minutes at a time, can help our bodies get rid of the excess adenosine.

You could also try to fall asleep slightly earlier than usual for a few days but avoid taking long lie-ins.