When it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, the likes of weight loss, healthier eating and increased exercise are all hugely popular. However, improving sleep is often overlooked.

Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health, and recent insights reveal its pivotal role in weight loss, sustained motivation, mood enhancement, and other common New Year's resolutions. Overlooking the importance of sleep can diminish the effectiveness of efforts in areas like diet and exercise, as fatigue can lead to reduced energy and motivation, hindering overall well-being.

In fact, research shows that how poorly you sleep can affect weight gain and loss, with sleep loss being one of the key risk factors in obesity according to the National Library of Medicine.

So, if you’re truly looking to improve your physical and mental health for 2024, sleep should be a key focus, to give you the best chance at feeling positive, and motivated and to stick to your goals.

Here are three tips to get you started for the New Year:

1. Start setting your alarm again. Over Christmas you’ve probably been having a lie in, which is fine, but to get your sleep back on track you need to get up nice and early. The earlier your alarm, the stronger your sleep drive and your appetite for sleep will be, which will build up during the day meaning you get better quality sleep the following night.

2. If you can’t sleep, get out of bed. After a big Christmas and back to work looming, it’s normal to have lots on your mind and to struggle with sleep due to these circumstances. So, if you can’t sleep, get up, go downstairs, read a book, go back to bed when you’re sleepy and still get up with your alarm.

3. Stop focusing on sleep as being the only way you can get some energy. Sleep is of course important, but the more you worry and focus on it, the worse it gets. So, instead focus on your diet, your stress levels and exercise to build energy levels in other ways.

Consistency is key when it comes to prioritising sleep. Make it a year-round commitment, not just a January resolution. The lasting benefits will become clear, and you'll soon experience a noticeable positive difference in your overall well-being.