“Sleep is a lot like love: the less you look for it, the more it shows up.” So says my guest on this episode, one of the world’s leading sleep doctors, who’s here to reveal the five common traps that are stopping us getting the rest we need.

Dr Michael Breus is a clinical psychologist and sleep specialist based in California. He’s the author of several books, including the brilliantly helpful, Sleep, Drink, Breathe. Over the course of his 25-year career, he’s helped thousands of people transform their health by changing the way they sleep. You’ll love his bold, no-nonsense manner and warm, practical advice.

In this conversation, we unpack the sleep myths that are keeping us stuck. We talk about why chasing eight hours could be working against you, why sleeping in at the weekend may be doing more harm than good, and why freaking out about your sleep is making it worse. We also explore what is really happening in your body to cause that 3am wake-up, and the practical techniques that can help you get back to sleep quickly and calmly.

Michael shares his own diagnosis of sleep apnoea, which will surprise you given his background, and opens up a conversation I think many of you will find both reassuring and galvanising. He dispels common myths around testing and treatment, and makes a clear case for investigating your symptoms – it could change your life.

We also cover sleep tracking and how to interpret what your wearables say without driving yourself to distraction. Michael gives his view on the supplements worth considering and those that are not. We talk about the specific challenges facing women going through perimenopause and menopause, and he gives practical advice for shift workers, parents, and carers who feel they can’t get the hours they need.

We close by talking through his five-step plan, which is simple, evidence-based, and immediately actionable. It will help you sleep better from tonight. Wherever you are in your journey towards restful, restorative sleep, you will hear something new in this insightful and surprising conversation. By going back to basics, Michael offers some truly fresh perspectives on this most fundamental pillar of your health.