In crisis? Find out how you can get urgent support

If you need support urgently or outside of our working hours, please don’t hesitate to contact

SAMARITANS

Freephone their national helpline on 116 123 (24/7) to access confidential emotional support for feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts

SHOUT

A crisis text support service for people in the military community who are struggling and need immediate support to get through a crisis. Text CONTACT to 85258. #TextCONTACT85258

NHS 111

To access medical help fast but when it’s not a 999 emergency, telephone 111 (available 24 hours). To access information from the NHS on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living, visit the NHS website.

COMBAT STRESS

For urgent psychological support, please call 0800 1381619.

SHELTER

For urgent housing support, please call 0808 800 4444.

Sleep plays an important role in our physical health, emotional wellbeing, energy levels and ability to cope with everyday life. Within the Armed Forces community, service life, shift patterns, deployments, caring responsibilities, health conditions or changing routines can affect the way we sleep and rest.

Many people find that learning more about sleep helps them better understand their own patterns and habits. We can help you explore what happens when we sleep, why our sleep needs differ and discover practical ways to support healthy sleep and improve wellbeing.

Three things you could try today

Keep a diary

If it feels helpful, make a note of when you go to bed, when you wake up and how rested you feel. Over time, you may begin to notice patterns that help.

Notice your cues

Pay attention to when you first start to feel genuinely sleepy in the evening and when you feel most alert during the day. These natural cues can help you learn more about your own sleep rhythm and what works best for you.

Create a sleep-friendly environment

Try to make your bedroom a place for rest and sleep. Changes such as limiting blue light from phones and TVs, thinking about noises you find helpful or if you want to limit noise, and looking at room temperature (ideally between 15.5°C and 19.5°C) may help.

Please note

This information should not replace seeking GP advice for persistent, severe or unexplained sleep problems, particularly where symptoms significantly affect daytime functioning or suggest another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnoea, restless legs, sleepwalking or narcolepsy.

What sleep support does The Recovery College offer?

A Group Course

The Art of Sleep

  • A free, group course run online via Microsoft Teams.
  • Co-delivered by those with lived experience and experts from our Recovery Services.
  • These sessions give you an opportunity to learn more about sleep as well as techniques and strategies to try, with others in the Armed Forces Community.
      Apply for Course

      A Self-Help Guide

      The Art of Sleep: A Starting Point

      • A free, interactive, online guide.
      • Designed to work through at your own pace, any time, anywhere.
      • With no need to sign up, you can learn more about the impact of sleep, as well as practical tools and tips to help improve your sleep and overall wellbeing.

      Self-Help Guide

      More about the Group Course

      What will I learn?

      • How sleep plays an essential part of supporting wellbeing.
      • Understanding the sleep cycle and common causes of sleep problems.
      • The impact of poor sleep on your body and mind.
      • Techniques and strategies to use at home to help your sleep pattern.

      Please note
      As part of this course, we’re not able to address individual, specific needs. If you’d like some one-to-one support, please speak to us separately. We’re here to help.

      How long is the course?

      • 1 x meet and greet session.
      • 3 x 2.5-hour modules. One module per week over three consecutive weeks.

      How do I apply?

      If you are already engaged with us, please speak to your point of contact within the Charity. 

      If you are not yet engaged with us, we’d love to welcome you.

      Apply for Course

      More about the Self-Help Guide

      What will I learn?

      • What impacts sleep and common sleep problems.
      • Support to identify your own natural sleeping patterns.
      • Changes you can make to your own sleep environment.

      How do I access it?

      With no need to book or sign up to anything, you can work through this online self-help guide at your own pace, any time.

      Self-Help Guide
      Video Thumbnail

      More information about our sleep self-help guide

      The course was brilliant, and I’d recommend it to anyone with sleep problems.”

      Veteran

      The Art of Sleep course

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