Leading Sleep Scientist, OF Dr Sophie Bostock (n97-99), discusses the latest research about our sleeping patterns on Laura Whitmore’s BBC Radio 5 Live Show (listen @10:46).

According to a survey published by King’s College London, 50% of the population reported more sleep disturbances than usual in late May this year, but 24% were sleeping longer and feeling more rested.

Sophie explains,“This research shows that stress has a huge role to play here and those who have found the coronavirus pandemic stressful, or are experiencing financial difficulties, tend to be sleeping less and waking feeling unrefreshed. The likelihood is that their survival response to stress means less deep sleep, so less chance to renew energy levels and repair the body. On the plus side, sleep and stress are so interconnected, that if you improve sleep, your resilience to stress is strengthened - and vice versa.” 

Sophie acknowledges that all around the globe people are struggling with sleep and has published a helpful guide 10 Sleep Commandments: How you can help protect your sleep in lockdown which summarises her top tips for getting a better night’s sleep.

After Felsted, Sophie studied medicine at Nottingham University, followed by an MSc in Entrepreneurship. After several years in consulting, she completed a PhD in Health Psychology at University College London (UCL) and her research pointed to sleep as an unsung hero of mental and physical resilience. She regularly features as a sleep expert in national media, is a TEDx speaker and now works as an independent Sleep Evangelist.