Dr Carmel Harrington
“We’ve lost discipline around sleep and we are only just beginning to realise the importance of sleep, because we have a lack of it” – Dr Carmel Harrington
We are thrilled to introduce Dr Carmel Harrington as our expert advisor on all things sleep here at In Essence.
Dr Carmel Harrington has been working in the world of sleep for nearly 20 years. A former lawyer and educator she has a PHD in Sleep Medicine from Sydney University and consults with companies and educational institutions both here and overseas on sleep health.
An internationally recognised sleep expert, Dr Harrington is amazed at the seemingly little importance given to sleep. Research shows that sleep is critical to our physical and mental health and is fundamental to our ability to think and learn. Emerging research clearly shows that sleeping well is a key component to optimal performance and health and if we want to be at the top of our game we need to ensure we get the best sleep possible.
Dr Harrington is the Managing Director of Sleep for Health and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Children’s Hospital Westmead. She is a founding member of the Sleep Health Foundation and a member of the Australasian Sleep Association. She has written two books “The Sleep Diet” (MacMillan Press 2012) and “The complete guide to a good night’s sleep” (MacMillan Press 2014) We’ve lost discipline around sleep and we are only just beginning to realise the importance of sleep, because we have a lack of it
Q&A with Sleep Expert, Dr. Carmel
More and more, sleep is becoming a topic of conversation due to the number of sleep difficulties Australians are facing. Join Dr Carmel Harrington, our sleep expert, as she addresses the most common questions that arise when discussing sleep health.
How does smell impact sleep?
What are the most common sleep concerns?
What happens when we sleep?
What are the top tips for developing a sleep ritual
How does our diet impact sleep?
How do we instil a quality sleep routine for our children?
Dr. Carmel Harrington’s Top Sleep Tips
• Maintain a regular bedtime and awakening time.
• Do not sleep during the day
• Avoid alcohol Avoid caffeinated beverages after noon
• Do not smoke before bedtime
• Do exercise, but not within 3 hours of bedtime.
• Finish eating 2-3 hours before bedtime.
• Adopt a going-to-bed routine: One hour before bed turn off all technology and dim all lighting. Perhaps do a relaxation exercise and/or have a hot shower.
• Do not use the bed or bedroom for anything other than sleep and sexual activity (do not watch TV, read complex material, do crosswords etc).
• Keep the bedroom cool, dark and quiet
Sleep Hub
One of the most effective ways to get a better night’s sleep is to create a sleep ritual to prepare the mind and body for sleep. Head to our Sleep Hub to learn more.
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