Remove screens from the bedroom

It may seem like an obvious tip, but this really can do a world of good. “It may be a drastic change but your sleep routine will benefit from removing all technology from your bedroom – this includes your phone and TV,” says Dr Hana Patel, an NHS doctor and resident sleep expert at Time4Sleep. “This is especially important in the run-up to events such as an election when the news agenda and our social media feeds are flooded with political, and often emotional, content.

“Dedicate your bedroom as a place that is just for sleep as screens of any form will cause a distraction and may heighten nighttime anxiety. A bedtime routine should be centred around creating relaxation and truly ‘winding down’, which is best done when technology is left outside the bedroom.”

Schedule time to process your thoughts

Trying to ignore your thoughts about politics won’t make your concerns vanish, so it’s important to allow yourself to process the emotions you’re feeling. “While we don’t want the stress of the election to impact our sleep, it is still important to process any feelings of anxiety that we’re having, as not doing so can lead to other health issues usually brought on by chronic stress,” explains Dr Patel. “Scheduling dedicated ‘worry time’ allows your mind to process these anxious thoughts. You can reflect on these thoughts by writing them down – seeing them in front of you can help reduce feelings of anxiety. Be sure to remind yourself of what you can control and what you can’t. If you can’t control it, focus on acknowledging but releasing those worries as you write them down or do some deep breathing.

“It only needs to be 10 mins a day, but the repetition of ‘worry time’ should lead to a somewhat quieter mind, which is particularly important as you approach bedtime.”

Can’t sleep in the run-up to the election? Try these 4 expert-approved tips for better rest