When I discovered it came down to genetic disposition, I couldn’t fall asleep at the same time as my husband and also couldn’t bound out of bed in the morning like an energiser bunny, even after a full 8 hours of sleep. I realised I had been putting too much pressure on myself. Yes, I’ve invested in a better pillow, need a dark room and a heavier blanket and yes, I still break some ‘rules’ using my phone at night. But I’m now waking up naturally, often even before my alarm and feel prepared to take on the day. I’m looking forward to learning more about how to continue to improve my sleep at the Dream Festival.

For a full year, I thought I was just terrible at sleeping. I tried everything—herbal teas, sleep apps, even negotiating with my pillow—but I still woke up exhausted. Turns out, I wasn’t ‘bad at sleeping’—I had sleep apnea! My body was waking up all night without me knowing. Now, thanks to my CPAP machine (aka my bedtime best friend), I actually sleep properly again. That’s when it hit me—why don’t we talk about sleep more? We track steps, count calories, but ignore the one thing that keeps us going. That’s why I joined Dream Festival—to help people stop guessing and start finding real solutions. Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s life-changing when you get it right.

After being diagnosed with kidney disease, my sleep became a nightmare. Pain, constant trips to the loo, and stress kept me up, and soon I was surviving on barely two hours a night. Everyone told me to try meditation or sleep apps, but when your body is the reason you can’t sleep, those things don’t magically fix it. I realised I needed to stop following generic advice and start addressing the real issue. For me, it meant working with specialists, adjusting my routine, and making changes that actually fit my body’s needs. Sleep isn’t about doing what works for others—it’s about finding what works for you.

I spent thousands chasing sleep—pillows, apps, supplements—hoping for a quick fix. But nothing worked until I stopped searching for ‘the one solution’ and started combining different approaches. For me, it was routine, therapy, and breathing techniques that finally helped. If I had known earlier that sleep solutions are unique to everyone, I wouldn’t have felt so lost. That’s why I love the idea of a space like Dream Festival—it brings together different paths so people can explore and find what works for them.

Everyone told me, ‘Sleep when the baby sleeps!’ Ha—if only it were that simple. My little one struggled with sleep just as much as I did—waking up every hour, fighting naps, and leaving both of us completely drained. I tried everything, from white noise to rocking for hours, but nothing seemed to work. Finally, with the help of a professional, I learned that sleep isn’t just about bedtime—it’s about creating the right routine, both for my baby and for me. It took time, patience, and a mix of different approaches, but now, we’re both finally getting the rest we need. If only I had known earlier that good sleep isn’t just about the baby—it’s about both of us.