According to NHS Choices, it is reported that nearly a third of the population are affected by insomnia¹. This not only affects mental health but can lead to other serious conditions such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes which can all shorten life expectancy.

Some of us have probably experienced a time in our lives where we have struggled to fall asleep or stay asleep, but very few of us appreciate just how important sleep is to ensure a healthy life.  

Sleep plays a major role in the way we function, our moods, relationships and the ability to concentrate. With your help, you can highlight the importance of getting a good night's sleep to your customers, offer advice and signpost to services or charities for further support.

Objectives
On completing this module, you will be able to understand:

• What is insomnia?
• Explore the symptoms to help spot insomnia
• How insomnia affects someone’s mental health
• Top tips to improve sleep
• Summary
• Linking to health promotion in pharmacy

^{1 NHS Choices – Sleep problems in the UK highlighted:  www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/sleep-problems-in-the-uk-highlighted/}