24hr Support Line 0800 6300 443
22 July 2021

Laura’s Story – Sleep Counselling

If only the simple, old-age advice of counting sheep really did help us to cure sleepless nights. While many of us have tried and failed with that mental exercise; the NHS-accredited programme, Sleepstation, enables us to implement simple practices – both mental and physical – into our busy lives to help us drift off.

Following a family bereavement, *Laura, a racing groom based in Middleham, decided to give Sleepstation a go in an attempt to improve her sleepless nights which left her feeling exhausted. She says:

“I was made aware of Sleepstation by Racing Welfare on social media, I then went to the website to get further information.

“I was finding it difficult to maintain a good, regular sleep pattern. Some nights I slept right through until the morning, then I would have three or four nights of waking in the middle of the night. I felt exhausted all the time.

“I have a busy life both in work and at home, but bereavement really did affect my sleeping. I felt I could not relax before going to bed or when I tried to go to sleep. My mind seemed restless, and my body ached. This had been happening for over 18 months.”

Sleepstation allowed Laura to implement simple practices into her everyday life and to change poor sleeping habits which, according to the NHS, is one of the major contributors to lack of sleep:

“I found the Sleepstation process online really easy to use, the counsellor gave helpful information every day, which built up a really useful data of my sleep pattern.

“This information showed me how to relax before going to bed, therefore helping me to sleep. I was really surprised how just changing a few negative habits improved my sleep pattern with really positive effects.”

A few small tweaks to her bedtime routine led to more tranquil evenings for Laura and has ultimately helped her to sleep better. She adds:

“Sticking to a certain time to go to bed and get up each day helped. I had the bad habit of reading for too long or checking my mobile, once in bed. By reducing both, it certainly helped. I also became aware of what I was eating and drinking later in the day. Listening to calming music or doing yoga in the evening has proved really helpful, enabling me to relax before going to bed.”

I have to be honest, I was not sure Sleepstation would help, but it really did, and it was so easy to use, it fitted in with my busy daily life. I now recognise what interferes with my sleep pattern and try to avoid where possible. I would recommend to anyone of any age, there is nothing worse than not sleeping, it interrupts your daily life.

*Laura’s name has been changed to maintain anonymity.

Sleepstation is available to anyone working in the horseracing and breeding industry. Do not hesitate to contact us if you are struggling with your sleep on 0800 6300 443.

You can also learn more about the programme here.

Racing Welfare’s Parris Lane blogged her way through Sleepstation and talks about how it helped cure her sleep problems. Watch here.