The importance of 40 winks and the latest research on sleep was shared by a TEDx speaker and author at two breakfast workshops in Central this week (May 22 and 23). 

Michael Hempseed, who holds an honours degree in psychology from the University of Canterbury, gives approximately 200 workshops on mental illness and suicide prevention each year. 

Community based educational organisation Central Otago REAP brought Michael to Cromwell and Alexandra and invited locals to hear his insight on sleep, resilience and community connections.

Michael said sleep is one of the three key pillars of health, along with eating and exercise, but if ignored its impact can be the worst.

Michael Hempseed PHOTO: The Central App

“People are vulnerable to sickness and disease if they don’t sleep well… poor sleep is associated with increased rates of anxiety too.”

Michael said research needed to inform policies to assist with mental health.

He explained most suicides happen in the afternoon or in between midnight and three in the morning.

“We all know that late at night small problems can seem really bad.

“No government reports mention sleep as an intervention… it is the cheapest and easiest intervention to stop suicide.”

Tips to assist with sleep were: keep your room dark and block out all light (even the charging lights or standby lights on devices); get 30-60 minutes of natural sunlight each day; have quiet (or consider downloading white or pink) noise to play in the background; and to keep a pen and paper by the bed.

“If you suffer from racing thoughts, write down the things that keep you awake.” 

Michael said if nightmares were your problem, trying to imagine a positive ending during daylight hours could also help.

On the topic of declining resilience he estimated that young people today have ten per cent of the resilience of a similar age group in the 1980s. 

“We need to [remember] things go wrong in life and it’s okay.”

Social media influencers are preaching low resilience and teaching people to get upset about things that don’t matter, Michael said. 

“Connections with people and in the community are the most vital thing for wellbeing.”

Michael’s four ways to build resilience were to have a family, travel, challenge yourself, and volunteer. 

“We need to know the difference between a bad day and depression. All normal human behaviour is not a pathogen.”

Central Otago REAP education coordinator Mandy Greer said the feedback from attendees on Michael’s talk had been really positive.

“Everyone left with ideas for their kete about connection and slowing things down.”

Michael has also founded ‘Frontiers of Hope’ (FOH) in 2022, a charity offering free or lower than usual treatments and therapy for those in need.

On the journey of getting FOH up and running he said it had been “one hell of a battle” at times.

“I’d rather go to my grave having tried and failed… rather than saying it's too hard and not trying it.”

Find out more about FOH here.

Read more: TEDx speaker to lead Central breakfast workshops.