🌲🎅The festive season can be stressful. Endless to-do lists, hosting, family dynamics, and money worries can all create heightened alertness which can make it hard to relax and fall asleep. Check out our handy relaxation techniques on our website to help improve your sleep. buff.ly/p6R6ROs

🎅Feeling the afternoon slump? It's tempting to nap after a Christmas feast. Little ones may still need a nap, but for older children, teens & adults, a short power nap for 20 minutes (max), earlier in the day can help balance out the late nights over the holidays.   🌲Visit buff.ly/H7njJTe for more

🎄 Merry Christmas from Sleep Action 🎄 A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us: ✨ Our staff, board, lecturers & Sleep Counsellors ✨ Research partners & training delegates ✨ Our funders ✨ Manifesto supporters ✨ Families who contacted our Scottish Sleep Support Line

🌲Alcohol, energy drinks, vapes, hot chocolate & soft drinks contain stimulants like, sugar & nicotine, which boosts our cortisol, our body’s stress hormone, & can affect our sleep in different ways. Some stop us getting to sleep, others wake us up, & others affect sleep quality. ➡️Read on for tips

🌲Build Sleep Pressure this Christmas! Sleep pressure (or sleep drive), is the process that makes us sleepy. Like a balloon slowly filling with air during the day, the longer you’re awake, the fuller it gets. The holidays can affect sleep pressure. 🎅Enjoy the festivities & your rest with our tips...

🎅🌲If you’re planning to get up early to bag a bargain in the Boxing Day sales it could leave you feeling wiped out. Resist the urge to nap during the day. Sticking to your usual bedtime will help keep you well-rested & in your regular sleep routine. Visit buff.ly/icHfdSO for more handy sleep tips.

It’s the shortest day of the year & #LookOnTheBrightSideDay Our body clocks can struggle, so switch on lights first thing and get outside often, even if it’s dull. Light helps regulate cortisol, our body’s primary stress hormone, keeping you alert during the day and supporting better sleep.

🌲🎅Christmas Chaos? Help Kids Sleep Better! Some easy tips this festive season: 🧸Comfort from home 😴Clutter-free & dark 💻Limit screens ⏰Stick to your routines #FestiveSeasonSleepTips  #BetterSleep 1/2

🎅 A sleep space should feel calm, cosy & safe. Keep it cool (16-18 degrees), dark & clutter-free. Fluffy Christmas PJs look cute but can be hot to sleep in. Christmas lights & decorations can be stimulating & interfere with your child’s sleep.  Visit buff.ly/H7njJTe for our handy sleep tips.

Sleep Action will be closed on 18 December 2025 and will re-open on 5 January 2026. Our website is packed with practical information which may help, otherwise our team will be back in touch in the new year.  The Sleep Action team wish you a restful festive season. buff.ly/Ca9zTP3

🌲Christmas Tech Gifts & Sleep. Popular presents like VR headsets and screens can emit blue light and boost cortisol, our body’s stress hormone, making kids stimulated and restless at night. Things to keep in mind this holiday season: 😌Switch off 😮‍💨Wind down 💻Tech #FestiveSleepTips

It’s #MapleSyrupDay 🍁 Maple syrup contains less fructose than white or brown sugar & is less likely to spike blood sugar. This makes it a good alternative for an evening snack. But enjoy it in moderation and not too late: Sugar raises cortisol, our body’s stress hormone, which can disrupt sleep.

🎅Festive Food & Sleep. Christmas often means an array of festive food, with a minefield of tempting treats, before we’ve even hit Christmas dinner! Things to keep in mind this festive season: 🍰 SUGAR 🍷ALCOHOL ☕ CAFFEINE Read on to understand how to get better sleep this festive season...

🌲🎁Christmas is exciting, but it can throw your family off their sleep routine. There are 3 things to keep in mind this holiday season: 1️⃣ Consistency 2️⃣ (Not) Oversleeping 3️⃣ Disruptions are temporary Read on to understand how to get better sleep this festive season... #FestiveSeasonSleepTips

🎅Santa is on his way! Festive excitement can make bedtime tricky for kids. A calmer child sleeps better. Here are some tips: 🥱Screens off 🌲Visual bedtime schedule 😴Wind down hour Read on for more #FestiveSeasonSleepTips   1/2

The festive season is here! Christmas can be hectic, but prioritising your sleep can help safeguard against the stress. We’ve put together 12 days of sleep tips to help keep you sleeping well this Christmas. Our website is packed with resources to learn about better sleep. buff.ly/Ca9zTP3

"Being able to offer that support just made a huge difference" 😴 Karen, a Sleep Counsellor in North Yorkshire for 11 years, shares how training transforms lives, helping children and families get the rest they need. Train as a Sleep Counsellor 👇 Children: buff.ly/05m52ph Adults: buff.ly/BxAkVv8

Sleep is not a luxury; it’s a right ✊ This #HumanRightsDay, we’re proud to stand with @together-sacr.bsky.social in supporting the full implementation of the UNCRC, including the right to healthy sleep.

Sleep Awareness training gave Mhairi the confidence to integrate advanced sleep hygiene principles with emotional support. Resulting in children and families having consistent, improved quality of sleep. Join the upcoming Sleep Awareness course, 20-21 January: buff.ly/NlozdIO

87% of young people don’t understand the impact sleep has on their health When schools teach about sleep, they unlock potential, improve wellbeing, and create a happier, healthier school experience for all pupils 🚀 Learn more: buff.ly/MJLp8x0

It’s #NationalCookieDay 🍪 Cookies and milk before bed might sound cosy, but all that sugar can spike cortisol (our body’s stress hormone), making it harder to fall and stay asleep. Instead, try a warm glass of milk with toast or cereal for a sleep-friendly treat.

Can Sleep Counselling be embedded into existing practice? 🤔 ➡️ YES. Sleep Counselling is practice-focused and ready to embed in any service. Many Sleep Counsellors incorporate sleep assessments into routine visits, while others establish dedicated sleep clinics or run parent/carer workshops.

It’s #GivingTuesday 💸 Thanks to grant funding and donations, we have supported over 4,000 families via our Scottish Support Line at no cost since 2018. Please help us ensure every child can live a healthy, happy life through better sleep. Donate: buff.ly/5T1Xgwr

"Each young person is unique and different" ✨ Denise shares why she trained with Sleep Action and why she attended our annual Sleep Counsellor Conference in October. Join our March 2026 courses and train as a Sleep Counsellor to support ⬇️ Children: buff.ly/05m52ph Adults: buff.ly/BxAkVv8

This #WorldAIDSDay, let’s talk about sleep and HIV 🎗️ Research shows up to 45% of people living with HIV experience sleep problems. Some evidence points to HIV disrupting the body clock, while medication side-effects & mental health challenges like stress, anxiety & depression play a role, too.

Having a wee dram to celebrate #StAndrewsDay? Alcohol can make us sleepy, but it affects sleep quality, so sip in moderation for a better night’s sleep. Slàinte mhath! 🥃

Allan's training in childhood sleep issues, behavioural techniques and parent support has made a real lasting difference for the families he works with. Bedtime is no longer a battleground. Since completing Sleep Awareness training, Allan has been able to guide families through bedtime challenges.

Planning on getting up early for #BlackFriday deals tomorrow? 🛍️ An early start can leave you feeling wiped out earlier as a result. Resist the urge to nap in the afternoon to “catch up on sleep”. Instead, stick to your usual bedtime routine to stay well-rested and ready for the weekend.

“For children who haven't had that good night's sleep, you just get the feeling that they're not they're not ready to be there.” 🥱 Join the schools improving pupil attention by 62% with curriculum-linked lessons and resources: buff.ly/MJLp8x0

Families say Sleep Counselling is ‘life-changing’ ✨ When sleep needs are met, the benefits for children and young people are clear: 😀 Improved daytime alertness ❤️Fewer challenging behaviours 🏫 Better attendance at school or day services 📉 A reduction in crisis referrals

Teaching students to adopt simple strategies for improving sleep in their daily routines makes a real difference as they arrive at school alert, engaged, and ready to learn. 🔗 Bring sleep education to your classroom: buff.ly/BO02ATT

Proud to take part in the #SleepWell #Scotland: #SleepHealth Conference for Junior Researchers at Dundee Science Centre! Training & Development Manager, Laura, delivered interactive workshops for children, their caregivers & teachers from schools across #Fife #Tayside & #Angus and #Perth & #Kinross

This #UniversalChildrensDay, we’re celebrating better #sleep for every child 👧👦 Sleep Action (formerly Sleep Scotland) was founded in 1998 to support children with additional support needs in #Edinburgh. We’ve grown into the leading provider of sleep support and training across the UK & Ireland.

Complex support needs require specialist approaches 💡 😫 Individuals with additional support needs experience sleep challenges at a higher rate and with greater complexity 🔃 Sleep is deeply interconnected with anxiety, sensory processing, communication barriers, and environmental factors

Helping families navigate sleep challenges is no easy task. Sleep Awareness training gives you the tools and confidence to deliver evidence-based, person-centred sleep advice when supporting typically-developing children & young people. Join our open course, 20 & 21 January 2026: buff.ly/1MVlFRr

Becoming a Sleep Counsellor makes you part of the Sleep Action family, and we’re here to help you support the families in your community. You’ll have access to follow-up support for complex cases and an invite to our Annual Conference. ➡️ Join the movement, become a Sleep Counsellor:

🩺 Sleep & diabetes are closely linked Many people with diabetes report sleep issues, which can be due to fluctuating blood sugar levels overnight. Poor sleep can also make blood sugar harder to manage. Keeping a routine, regular exercise, and winding down without screens can make a real difference

Better sleep ❤️ more kindness When we sleep well, our brains process emotions, boost memory, and build resilience. This makes it easier to be patient, empathetic, and kind. This #WorldKindnessDay, let’s start on the right side of the bed. Learn to improve your sleep: buff.ly/AChJNj3

We surveyed 247 students, and the results were eye-opening 👀 87% of high school students didn’t know sleep affects their health 🛌 Without understanding the importance of sleep, students can’t build healthy habits. That’s where our Sound Sleep training comes in...

Why is #sleep a critical issue? Sleep is as fundamental to health and wellbeing as a healthy diet and getting enough exercise. Addressing poor sleep is essential. Sleep Counselling ensures children with additional support needs and adults with complex support needs achieve a good night's sleep.

Who doesn’t love a pudding with custard in the winter? 🍰 Just don’t indulge too late this #BritishPuddingDay, as sugar spikes cortisol levels and keeps us awake. 🫨 Sweet dreams start with smart timing!

Celebrating #NationalCappuccinoDay? ☕ In Italy, cappuccinos are a morning-only ritual, and there’s science behind it. Caffeine in coffee wakes us up, but it can stay in our systems for up to 10 hours, affecting our sleep. Having issues falling asleep? Try cutting out your last cuppa of the day!

📢 Open course 2026 dates now available 📢

It’s #NationalRedheadDay, and did you know? Research suggests redheads are more sensitive to temperature 🥶🥵 Our bodies expect to be warm during the day and cooler at night (key for good sleep!). Redheads might feel this shift more intensely. Does this mean redheads sleep better or worse? 🤔

What is Sleep Counselling? 🥱 Sleep Counselling is a structured, evidence-based approach to improving sleep through behavioural strategies, education, and tailored support. ➡️ It’s an approach that combines the latest research with 27+ years’ applied experience.

🥸 Movember cheat code: Better sleep = better moustache growth. Sleep is vital for hair growth, so it could help with growing a luscious moustache. #Movember raises awareness of mental health issues, as well as suicide, prostate, and testicular cancer.

🚀 MANIFESTO MILESTONE 😴 Thank you to MSP @monicalennon.bsky.social for her motion to Parliament that positions healthy sleep as a fundamental pillar of public health, encouraging the Scottish Government to ensure sleep health is given core status within future public health & educational strategies

Dreading Halloween sleep disruption? 🎃 Costumes & sweets can spike cortisol levels, making it harder for little ones to wind down. After trick-or-treating, start a calming wind-down hour, even if it's later than usual, to help trigger melatonin, so your child can drift off more easily.

REASON #3 Why sleep must be part of the curriculum 🛌 🤝 Teaching Sleep to Reduce Health Inequalities Sleep deprivation disproportionately affects children living in poverty or experiencing adversity.

This #WorldMentalHealthDay, we are reflecting on the impact of sleep 😴 Discussions on mental health often highlight the importance of diet and exercise, but there is no health and wellbeing without sleep. Stress and mental health have a major impact on sleep...