Sleep Information Hub
SLEEP & MEDICINE · YOUR INFORMATION LIBRARY
Understand your sleep, one question at a time
Why are you waking at 3am? How much sleep do adults need? Can caffeine or alcohol affect the second half of the night? Browse plain-English guides to sleep problems, healthy habits and treatment options, with links to trusted NHS information.
Start with your question
Why do I wake up at 3am?
Stress, your environment and habits that may interrupt sleep in the early hours.
Can alcohol help you sleep?
Why feeling sleepy after a drink is not the same as sleeping well.
How much sleep do adults need?
Seven to nine hours is a common range, but daytime wellbeing matters too. Guide coming soon.
What is insomnia?
Signs of insomnia, common causes and when it is sensible to speak to your GP. Guide coming soon.
How does caffeine affect sleep?
Coffee, tea, energy drinks and practical ways to examine your caffeine habits. Guide coming soon.
What is CBT-I?
An introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and how to find support. Guide coming soon.
Why look for patterns?
One difficult night cannot explain a long-term sleep problem. You may find it useful to notice your usual wake-up time, time spent awake overnight, caffeine, alcohol and how refreshed you feel the next day. A sleep diary can help you prepare for a discussion with a healthcare professional; it cannot diagnose an underlying condition.
Open Sleep & Medicine to use the private sleep diary →
When to seek help
Speak to a GP if poor sleep has continued for months, changes to your routine have not helped, or tiredness is affecting your ability to cope in daily life. Seek advice sooner if you have concerning symptoms, such as possible breathing interruptions during sleep or dangerous daytime sleepiness. Do not drive while sleepy.
Trusted sources
Educational information only, not individual medical advice. This page does not offer a diagnosis, treatment programme, prescribing or medicine sales. Editorial information should be periodically reviewed against reliable clinical sources.
