Sam Thompson prescribed sleeping pills before I’m A Celebrity spin-off
Sam Thompson asked his GP for sleeping pills ahead of flying to Australia for the I’m A Celebrity... Get Me out of Here! spin off show, Unpacked.
The former campmate, who is co-presenting the spin-off series alongside Joel Dommett and Kemi Rogers, says he was anxious that the "awkward" filming timings might impact his sleep.
Speaking on the Staying Relevant Podcast, the former TOWIE star revealed he asked his GP for sleeping pills "just in case" he struggled with the jet lag and time difference. "The timings are quite awkward because obviously we are live in UK time," he said. "So, we go to bed at 4pm every day in Australia and wake up at midnight. Which is going to be wild."
His co-host, Strictly 2024 contestant Pete Wicks, revealed Thompson was prescribed "24 sleeping pills" for this time on the show. "You don't cope well with change and what Sam said to me when he told me this last week is 'I've just been to the doctor and I've got 24 sleeping pills,'" he added. "That was the first thing you did, he literally came out of the meeting with ITV or off the phone and went straight to the doctor and said 'I need pills.'"
Sleeping pills can help someone fall asleep if they’re struggling with a regular sleep pattern, but they don’t always improve the quality of your kip. NHS general practitioner Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp emphasises that sleeping pills are only a "short term" solution for sleep issues and says they must be used with medical supervision and for just a few days at a time.
"In cases where someone is experiencing acute insomnia, jet lag, or short-term stress, sleeping pills may help restore a regular sleep pattern," Dr Misra-Sharp explains. "However, it’s important to be cautious. Medications such as benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam) or non-benzodiazepine sedatives (e.g., zolpidem, zopiclone) can be effective in the short term, but there are significant risks associated with their prolonged use."
The key is to avoid the body becoming dependent on the sedative side effects, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms as well as unwanted side effects such as drowsiness in the day or memory issues.
Dr Misra-Sharp recommends non-pharmacological sleep strategies are better for long-term sleep improvement.
Sleep strategies that are better for your long-term health than sleeping pills:
Improve your sleep hygiene. Go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday to regulate your body’s internal clock.
Create the right environment. Make sure the bedroom is dark, cool and your mattress and pillows are comfortable.
Avoid any screen time an hour before bed. The blue light exposure can interfere with your melatonin production making it harder to fall asleep at night.
Try meditation and mindfulness. Stress reduction techniques can help relax your muscles, whether it’s through breathing exercises or mindfulness it can all improve your sleep quality.
Stick to a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Regular activity and a balanced diet during the day - with not too much caffeine - can help regulate your sleep routine at night.
Limit naps. Long naps in the afternoon will disrupt your sleep at night and leave you feeing worse longterm.
Read more about sleep:
Five ways to feel refreshed after a bad night’s sleep (Yahoo Life, 4-min read)
How to break the 'vicious cycle' of overthinking before bed (Yahoo Life, 4-min read)
Benefits of separate beds as Richard Madeley reveals he and Judy often sleep apart (Yahoo Life, 4-min read)
