Media and PR
As a psychotherapist with expertise in sleep, mental health, and psychotherapy, I frequently appear in the media on podcasts and am a sought-after speaker at live events. In addition, I serve as the official spokesperson for UKCP on all sleep-related matters. If you’re interested in having me appear or speak at your event, please don’t hesitate to contact me using the contact form.
I suffered from Insufficient Sleep Syndrome for almost a DECADE – and lost my job, friends and family
Here are the tricks experts recommend to get enough shut-eye
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14327419/I-suffered-Insufficient-Sleep-Syndrome-DECADE-lost-job-friends-family-tricks-experts-recommend-shut-eye-including-maximum-temperature-bedroom-needs-be.html
Seasonal Affective Disorder May Affect More People This Year
Here's How To Prevent And Manage It
https://www.healthdigest.com/1037556/seasonal-affective-disorder-may-affect-more-people-this-year-heres-how-to-prevent-and-manage-it
Bedtime procrastination
How to stop delaying and get a better night’s sleep
https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/bedtime-procrastination-causes-how-to-stop/729243
Exposure to Natural Light During the Day May Help You Sleep Better
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/exposure-to-natural-light-during-the-day-may-help-you-sleep-better
Don’t drink coffee after 2pm
And 12 other steps to have a good sleep
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/dont-drink-coffee-after-2pm-29038441
Hormonal hacks that work
https://www.stylist.co.uk/fitness-health/wellbeing/hormones-tips-free-balance-wellbeing-health/766493
I’ve been sleep talking for 23 years
Can doctors help me finally stop?
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/sleep-talking-cure-advice-insomnia-b2467942.html
Sleep disorders
19 conditions explained including insomnia, sleep paralysis, sleep apnoea and narcolepsy
https://www.nationalworld.com/health/sleep-disorders-insomnia-sleep-paralysis-sleep-apnoea-narcolepsy-4062324
I’m stuck in the 3am anxiety trap and I desperately need to find my way out
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/wellbeing/sleep/escape-the-3am-anxiety-trap-and-get-back-to-sleep/
The cult of 5am
Is rising at dawn the secret of health and happiness?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/jul/08/the-cult-of-5am-is-rising-at-dawn-the-secret-of-health-and-happiness%20%20
Obstructive sleep apnea may directly cause early cognitive decline
https://www.psypost.org/obstructive-sleep-apnea-may-directly-cause-early-cognitive-decline/
CBT for insomnia: how does it work?
https://patient.info/news-and-features/cbt-for-insomnia-how-does-it-work
Is maladaptive daydreaming a sign of mental illness?
https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-maladaptive-daydreaming-a-sign-of-mental-illness
I Tried Lucid Dreaming To See If It Would Improve My Waking Life
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/how-to-lucid-dreaming
I go to bed at 6am and wake up at 3pm
Life with delayed sleep phase disorder
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/delayed-sleep-disorder-bed-wake-up-2573674
Hit snooze, Sunak
Why early riser Rishi might want to rethink his morning routine
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/rishi-sunak-sleep-wake-up-b2403404.html
Slept badly last night?
These 5 hacks can help you get through the day
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/sleep/a45117554/sleep-deprived/
Is there a perfect time to wake up in the morning?
Experts explain
https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/sleep/perfect-time-to-wake-up-early-rising-benefits/868614
6 best sunrise alarms for beating the winter blues
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/sleep/g45870985/best-sunrise-alarms/
I was insomniac for years
Having a baby cured me
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/i-was-insomniac-for-years-having-a-baby-cured-me-3024821
I’ve been sleep talking for 23 years
Can doctors help me finally stop?
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/sleep-talking-cure-advice-insomnia-b2467942.html
Are persistent nightmares a sign that something is wrong?
Sleep experts explain
https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/sleep/nightmares-meaning-health/926971
Can a 9pm bedtime cure me of my constant exhaustion?
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a60175480/9pm-bedtime/
Six tips to get a good nights sleep this winter
https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/31322414/six-tips-sleep-winter-clocks-go-back/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3dq6L1DlNRP0zoIFUIct__VJY40tp_5croVkW5iwJJ8qEf5i-wp2zkAm8_aem_nbjKkWDEkaghiCx-4K5EAw%20%20
Is maladaptive daydreaming a sign of mental illness?
https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-maladaptive-daydreaming-a-sign-of-mental-illness
I Tried Lucid Dreaming To See If It Would Improve My Waking Life
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/how-to-lucid-dreaming
Slept badly last night? These 5 hacks can help you get through the day
Because a solid seven to nine hours can be as elusive as a sunny bank holiday
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/sleep/a45117554/sleep-deprived/
6 best sunrise alarms for beating the winter blues
Wake up on the sunny side of the bed with these tried and tested sunrise alarms
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/sleep/g45870985/best-sunrise-alarms/
I’ve been sleep talking for 23 years – can doctors help me finally stop?
Death, cats and premature declarations of love: Ellie Muir’s lifelong sleep talking problem seemed to traverse every topic. She talks to an expert to find out what’s behind her nighttime nattering
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/sleep-talking-cure-advice-insomnia-b2467942.html
TikTok’s viral sleepy girl mocktail: What is it and can it really help you to fall asleep? Experts explain
The ‘sleepy girl mocktaill’ has gone viral on TikTok and promises anyone who drinks it a good night’s sleep – but can that really be true?
https://www.nationalworld.com/lifestyle/tiktok-viral-sleepy-girl-mocktail-asleep-experts-explain-trending-4489409
Contributor to the Mirror
Here’s how much sleep you actually need to be properly rested and stay healthy
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/heres-how-much-sleep-you-25609883
Quoted in the Daily Mail
I could do that in my sleep!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk
Quoted in Elle Magazine
7 Best Weighted Blankets
https://www.elle.com
Quoted in The Irish News
The people who clean and even garden all in a state of deep sleep
https://www.irishnews.com
Quoted in Sunday Edit
How to Recognise and Deal With High-Functioning Anxiety
https://edit.sundayriley.com
Contributed to The Telegraph
Ten expert tips for a better night’s sleep
https://www.telegraph.co.uk
Contributed to Stylist
8 easy ways to start sleeping better, according to science
https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/sleep/how-to-sleep-better-science/528989
Featured in The Sun
From avoiding TV to no nightcaps, how to never have a bad night’s sleep again
https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/15228690/how-to-never-have-bad-nights-sleep/
Featured in The Daily Mail
Confessions of a bedtime procrastinator: Do you put off heading for bed or find yourself cleaning the house at midnight?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10030603/Confessions-bedtime-procrastinator-CLAUDIA-CONNELL-tries-way-break-habit.html
Contributed to Stylist
8 simple ways to improve your sleep for good, according to science
https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/sleep/how-to-sleep-better-science/528989
Featured on Patient Info
Do naps count as sleep?
https://patient.info/news-and-features/do-naps-count-as-getting-good-sleep
Featured in The Mirror
Seven tips to getting a good night’s sleep and the best time to nap during the day
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/seven-tips-getting-good-nights-24457909
Quoted for Refinery 29
Can Lucid Dreaming Improve My Waking Life?
https://www.refinery29.com
Contributor for Happiful
How to reset your sleep schedule in three days
https://happiful.com
Featured on News 24
Has Covid affected your sleep? Here’s how viruses can change our sleeping patterns
https://www.news24.com
Contributor to Daily Mail
The women who only realised they had been raped MONTHS later.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail
Contributor to Metro
Why does background noise help us sleep – and is it healthy to rely on it?
https://metro.co.uk
Contributor to Metro
The psychology of voicemails: are they really dead?
https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/06/the-psychology-of-voicemails-are-they-really-dead
Contributor to The Independent
Want more sleep but can’t stop staying up late? You might be guilty of sleep procrastination
https://www.independent.co.uk
Contributor to The Sun
I still suffer night terrors – I see dead babies, ghostly men and even zipped myself INSIDE a suitcase when I was asleep
https://www.thesun.co.uk/men/
Quoted in Glamour
Had one too many late nights over the festive period? Here’s how to get your normal sleeping pattern bac
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/get-sleeping-pattern-back-to-normal
Contributor to Woman & Home
Which direction is best for sleep? This feng shui principle may help you fall asleep quicker
https://www.womanandhome.com/health-wellbeing/which-direction-is-best-for-sleep/
Featured on Patient info
How to fix your sleep schedule with a healthy bedtime routine
https://patient.info/news-and-features/how-to-fix-your-sleep-schedule-with-a-healthy-bedtime-routine
Quoted on Health Digest
Seasonal Affective Disorder May Affect More People This Year. Here’s How To Prevent And Manage It
https://www.healthdigest.com
Featured in Stylist
Bedtime procrastination: how to stop delaying and get a better night’s sleep
https://www.stylist.co.uk
Quoted on Healthline
Exposure to Natural Light During the Day May Help You Sleep Better
https://www.healthline.com
Quoted in The Mirror
Don’t drink coffee after 2pm – and 12 other steps to have a good sleep
https://www.mirror.co.uk
Featured in Stylist
How to improve hormonal health: Easy hacks to try – Stylist
https://www.stylist.co.uk
Quoted in The Telegraph
I’m stuck in the 3 am anxiety trap and I desperately need to find my way out
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/mind/escape-the-3am-anxiety-trap-and-get-back-to-sleep/
Contributor to National World
What are the different types of sleep? Non-REM and REM sleep stages defined, plus the sleep cycle explained
https://www.nationalworld.com
Contributor to National World
Sleep disorders: 19 conditions explained, including insomnia, sleep paralysis, sleep apnoea and narcolepsy
https://www.nationalworld.com
Patient Info
CBT for insomnia: how does it work?
https://patient.info/news-and-features/cbt-for-insomnia-how-does-it-work
Patient Info
Is maladaptive daydreaming a sign of mental illness?
https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-maladaptive-daydreaming-a-sign-of-mental-illness
Contributor to The Midst on Substack
Afraid your life is ordinary? You might have koinophobia
https://themidst.substack.com/p/koinophobia-in-midlife
Contributor to iNews
‘I go to bed at 6am and wake up at 3pm’: Life with delayed sleep phase disorder
https://inews.co.uk
Contributor to The Independent
Hit snooze, Sunak: Why early riser Rishi might want to rethink his morning routine
https://www.independent.co.uk
As seen in Woman’s Health
Slept badly last night? These 5 hacks can help you get through the day
https://www.womenshealthmag.com
Appeared on The Peaceful Soul
The Physical Wellbeing 5
https://peacefulsoul.co/the-body/physical-wellbeing-5-interviews/heather-darwall-smith/
Online interview with The Peaceful Soul
Interviewed by Professor Sarah Niblock, CEO of the UK Council for Psychotherapy,
https://peacefulsoul.co/the-body/physical-wellbeing-5-interviews/heather-darwall-smith/
Catch Yerself On Podcast
Struggling to sleep? Understanding insomnia
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/catch-yerself-on-rosalind-skillen-8B-RVf3YvSk/?srsltid=AfmBOooWKuFG2js5i60bn6XdHDV5A0bAKcusJslqzAzBcF_uEFoN05Y_#google_vignette
Chris Bordoni Re-invent-ed
https://chrisbordoni.com/heather-darwall-smith/
UKCP: Sweet Release of Sleep
Interviewed by Professor Sarah Niblock, CEO of the UK Council for Psychotherapy,
https://www.psychologies.co.uk/how-to-get-a-good-nights-sleepa-podcast-with-ukcp/
Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast with Caroline Foran
Let’s Talk Insomnia + Anxiety
https://shows.acast.com/owningittheanxietypodcast/episodes/lets-talk-insomnia-anxiety
Live Webinar for Robert Half International
7 tips for better health and well-being at work
US book event for The Science of Sleep
https://www.anunlikelystory.com/event/darwall-smith
Live event for Innermost
Sleep Well By Innermost: The Highlights
Summer at Great Alne Park – Did You Sleep Well?
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/warwickshire/the-amphitheatre-at-great-alne-park/summer-at-great-alne-park-did-you-sleep-well-with-heather-darwall-smith/e-zjkdqe
Chipping Norton Literary Festival
https://www.chiplitfest.com/author/heatherdarwallsmith