In this week’s Sleep Diaries, a 32-year-old director admits she’s struggling with her delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD).

A little about me:

Age: 32

Occupation: director

Number of hours sleep you get each night: seven and a half

Number of hours sleep you wish you got each night: 10

Any officially diagnosed sleep-related problems: DSPD (the most common circadian rhythm sleeping disorder, involving an abnormal alignment of the sleep-wake cycle causing the affected individuals to feel sleepiness and wake up later than what is considered normal)

Do you measure your sleep in some way (e.g. using your phone or wearable): yes, using the Sleep Cycle app, but I want the Oura ring

How much water you drink on average per day: 2.5 litres

How much exercise I do on average per week: not enough!

Day 1

I wake up around 3pm (after going to sleep at 4am) and busy myself with email admin, household chores, and an avocado on toast snack around 5.30pm.

All this done, I spend some time on the phone with friends before going out for dinner around 8pm. There, I share a selection of dishes including vegetable pasta, croquettes, bread, broccoli and meat board paired with wine. (Truthfully, I actually started with a small glass of champagne, followed by one type of white wine then another/different glass of white wine. I don’t typically drink – usually only for a very special occasion – but I felt like pushing the boat out now that we’re emerging from lockdown and can socialise with friends again!)

I go to sleep around 1am before abruptly waking up with a horrible dry mouth at 4.30am. I feel fairly awake and am even half-tempted to start my day then, but eventually fall back to sleep around 8am before the alarm went off at 9.30am – making me feel even worse!

“Do I have a sleep disorder?” A sleep expert answers your questions