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Sleep Tips

Not Enough Sleep Can Affect Your Grades!

With the new school year well underway, it comes as no surprise to learn that children and teenagers are not getting enough sleep.

Did you know that sleep, or lack of, could be having a knock-on effect on your grades, relationships and mental health?

If you’re in school and struggle to sleep each night, we’ve rounded-up some useful advice below to help improve your sleep routine.

Remember… sleep is just as important as breathing, drinking and eating!

Grades

Keep a regular sleep schedule: Try to go to sleep around the same time every night, as this creates a healthy habit and allows your body to know when it is time to go to bed.

Be aware of your daily routines: It’s important that you incorporate exercise into your daily routine – even a simple power walk to and from school is a start! Physical activity during the day can help you to fall asleep more easily at night. We also suggest limiting caffeine intake in the afternoon and evenings as well.

Create a healthy sleeping environment: A soothing sleep environment should be clutter-free and comfortable. Use your bed for sleeping, not studying. Give your brain time to relax before heading to bed, as well as keeping the room dark and at a cool temperature.

Unplug before bed: Light from phones, computers, and television can affect how your body perceives night, and so we would recommend that you put away or turn off these devices 30 minutes before you go to bed.

Quality over quantity: Your body should be getting the rest it needs and not just the amount of hours you are expected to be having each night.

No one expects students to go to bed by 10pm every night, but following these handy tips can improve your sleep routine dramatically.

So, will you be giving these school routine sleep tips a go? For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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Sleep Tips

Understanding How a Gel Foam Mattress Can Help You Sleep

Here at Sleepeezee, we’ve lovingly designed a range of gel foam mattresses to ensure that there is something for everyone.

From full body support to hypoallergenic properties, we’ve rounded up some useful information below to help you decide if this type of mattress is right for you.

What is a Gel foam mattress? 

Gel foam became a popular mattress layer in 2011, as it was designed specifically to help regulate your body temperature to aid sleep.

A great way to visualise how gel foam mattresses work is to consider a gel ice pack. Similar to how the gel inside an ice pack keeps your food cold, the gel infused into the mattress helps to regulate your body temperature and keep you cool throughout the night.

This means less tossing and turning for you, which aids in a better night’s sleep!

Not only that, but gel foam mattresses spring back to their normal shape quickly after pressure is removed. This means that the mattress will retain its shape if you move around a lot in your sleep.

It is this material that makes the mattress irresistibly comfortable, and also lessens the ‘stuck’ feeling that people often complain about with regular memory foam mattresses.

Gel Mattress

 

The PocketGel Collection

With this in mind, our range of gel foam mattresses has quickly become a customer favourite.

Finding the right mattress to suit your body, budget and lifestyle requirements can often be tricky. Combine this with the fact that UK temperatures fluctuate between super toasty and icy cold, this makes mattress shopping even more of a challenge!

So we wanted to create a range of temperature regulating mattresses to help answer your every need.

The PocketGel collection features our advanced Staycool™ gel, which provides pressure sensitive support and helps to regulate body temperature. If this wasn’t enough, this collection also features adaptable reflex foam to ensure that you’re supported and comfortable, night after night.

With different comfort levels and tensions available, we’ve made sure that there is mattress for everyone in this range

Pocketgel Collection

                                         Immerse 2200                                                                     Poise 3200                                                                            Balance 1200

But don’t just take our word for it – we’re incredibly proud to say that our Poise 3200 mattress has been approved by the Good Housekeeping Institute. When you see this logo, you can rest assured that this mattress has passed Consumer Quality Assessment tests carried out by the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Poise 3200

 

So what are you waiting for? Discover the full PocketGel collection over on our website. You can also find your own PocketGel mattress in one of our many stockists. Head on over to the ‘find a retailer’ function on our website, simply enter your details and we’ll do the hard work for you!

For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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Sleep Tips

How to Protect Yourself from “Burnout”

From back to back meetings to busy family schedules, our day to day lives can often feel overwhelming and this can play havoc with our sleep – we all know the feeling!

This is called ‘burnout’, and the exhaustive nature of this can be much more serious than you think.

Most of us will try to soldier on regardless of how tired we are, however doing so puts you at risk of limiting your daily productivity.

Burnout

So, do you feel like you’re suffering from burnout? Follow these simple steps below to help take care of your mind and body:

Know when to switch off your computer:

Sometimes we are so busy that we forget to take much-needed breaks throughout the day. We would advise taking regular technology and work-free breaks, particularly at lunchtime, as this enables you to rest during the day.

Take time to yourself, at work and at home:

After a long day at work, it is important that you relax and unwind in a comfortable setting. Treat yourself to a lovely dinner, watch an episode of your favourite series on Netflix or read a good book before bed. Calming activities such as these will help your brain to relax and recover.

Take care of your mind and body:

Regular exercise helps to keep your mind sharp and is also a great way to blow off steam. Whether you’re a gym regular or simply enjoy a long walk, make sure you get moving!

Reward yourself:

Last but not least… you should treat yourself every so often! Whether it be a nice dinner, new clothes or even letting yourself have the ultimate lazy day in your Sleepeezee bed – you will thank yourself later!

Which one of these tips is your favourite? Implementing these simple tips into your daily routine will help ensure that you don’t suffer from burnout.

For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram

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Sleep Tips

How Long Can You Go Without Sleep?

In this day and age, our hectic schedules can make getting a great night’s sleep even more difficult.

Whether you’re stressed at work, out celebrating with friends or perhaps you’re binge-watching a new Netflix series, there are so many factors which can contribute to keeping you up later each evening.

But how long can you keep this up and what happens to us the longer we stay awake? As sleep enthusiasts (8 sold hours a night and nothing less please!) we definitely do not recommend regularly staying up late every night.

How Long Can You Go Without Sleep?

Have you ever wondered how long you can stay awake for? The world record is a horrifying 264 hours… that’s just a little more than 11 days! We absolutely would not recommend trying this.

In 1964, a high school student, Randy Gardner, tested the limits of his body and mind by staying awake for as long as he possibly could (for a high school science experiment). Apparently, Gardner went 264 hours without sleeping, which remains as the official world record that was ever scientifically documented.

We couldn’t think of anything worse!

How Long Can You Go Without Sleep Before You Are Affected?

1 day: the negative effects of sleep deprivation often take 24 hours to appear.

After just 24 hours without sleep, you will start to notice a lag in concentration, your memory will falter, your stress levels will rise and so will your blood pressure. Your judgment will be affected, your decision-making will become sloppy, and you are likely to experience a decline in hand-eye coordination.

Some say this is equivalent to the effects of 3 glasses of wine and that’s only 24 hours in!

2 days: 48 hours in and your body is not coping well! You are likely to experience black outs, have a weaker immune system and you will constantly feel cold as your body is now working overtime to keep everything functioning.

3 Days: If you’ve made it to 72 hours without sleep you’ll be experiencing the worst effects of sleep deprivation. This includes hallucinations, which are happening due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Coupled with lack of motivation, perception and concentration we doubt anyone would be functioning normally right now!

4+ Days: Highly not recommended! Coupled with all off the above, you will now also be experiencing communication problems, heart palpitations and even paranoia.  We couldn’t think of anything worse and are entirely thankful each day we get to go home and sleep on a Sleepeezee mattress!

We understand how busy life can be, but please don’t intentionally delay your sleep! Treat yourself to a long and restful sleep each night and you will reap the benefits, both physically and mentally.

Remember Everything Is Easy When You Sleepeezee!

For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram

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Sleep Tips

Do You Want To Know How To Achieve The Perfect Sleep Environment?

During the warmer months, the heat can play havoc with our sleep. Therefore, falling asleep in a smooth and efficient manner can often feel like a cause for celebration.

When it comes to preparing your body for rest, it is so important create the ideal bedtime routine and also a sleep environment that is soothing enough to rest in.

If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep each night, we’ve provided some useful tips below to help you achieve the perfect sleep environment at home.

Finding the Right Temperature

Hot, cold and draughty rooms can seriously impact your sleep. Your body temperature peaks in the evening and then drops to its lowest levels when you’re asleep, so a cool 16-18°C is thought to be an ideal temperature for your bedroom. Temperatures over 24°C are likely to impact your sleep and so it is ideal to invest in a fan during the warmer months.

Turn the Lights Out

When we see light, our bodies assume it’s time to wake up. When it’s dark, our bodies release melatonin, which helps us to drift off. If you’re a light-sleeper and those bright summer mornings wake you up easily, it might be time to consider investing in an eye mask or even black out curtains.

Quiet Please

It goes without saying that loud noises can interrupt our sleep. One of the best ways to combat this is with double glazing, as it muffles sounds from outside. However you can also use foam ear plugs, which are particularly effective in the summer months when you are more likely to have the windows open each night.

Comfort Is Best

Your bed is by far the most significant element of a good night’s sleep. It is near impossible to get a good night’s rest on an old and uncomfortable bed. Mattresses that lack comfort, space and support are likely to leave you waking up tired and achy, and will also have a significant impact on your partner’s sleep too.

So why let an old mattress get in the way of the best quality night’s sleep that you deserve?

We believe that no one person is the same and each of our mattresses will suit your individual needs, budget and lifestyle requirements. You should select the best mattress FOR YOU, offering the correct support and comfort levels.

Remember Everything Is Easy When You Sleepeezee….

The good news is at Sleepeezee, we offer a wide range of mattresses designed to give every individual the perfect night’s sleep and we have our dedicated ‘build a bed’ function to help you narrow down your selection. View our full range of mattresses here and visit your nearest retailer to purchase your next mattress.

For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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Sleep Tips

Cool as a Cucumber – 6 Ways to Stay Cool in Bed This Summer

Whilst most of us wish for a warm summer, the heat can actually play havoc with our sleep.

If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the summer months fear not, we’ve rounded up some useful tips below to help you stay cool each night.

Summer 2019

Frozen sheets

During a heatwave, some of us will go to any means in order to cool down. It might seem silly, but many people swear by putting their sheets in the freezer to cool down in time for bed. This is essentially an extreme version of the ever-popular ‘cold side of the bed’.

Cool off

Nothing quite beats the cooling effect of a cold shower! Rinsing off at the end of the day can bring down your core temperature – and you’ll also jump into bed feeling fresh and clean as well.

Sleep Low

Hot air rises, so avoid those bunk beds and make sure you’re surrounded by cool air. Sleep on the floor, or even head downstairs to sleep on the sofa if you’re getting desperate to escape the heat.

Keep out the heat

Before you go to bed, remember to open as many windows and doors as possible to allow air to circulate throughout your home. Doing this will create a draft that will pull warm air out and allow for both your room and you to cool down.

Power down your electrics

It might seem tough, but do try to avoid charging electronic items at night. This is simply because some electrical items produce heat upon charge and this will only add to the heat already in your room.

Cooler Supreme

Last but not least, our most effective tip is to upgrade your mattress. Our team has lovingly designed the Cooler Supreme 1800 mattress to ensure that you get the best night’s sleep possible during the warmer months.

Expertly designed to help regulate your body temperature, this innovative mattress features a revolutionary cool-touch cover as well a pressure-sensitive StayCool™ gel layer. So, avoid restless nights by opting for a state-of-the-art mattress that will keep you sleeping soundly all night long!

Keep Cool This Summer

So whether you’re freezing your sheets or upgrading your mattress, make sure you enjoy everything summer has to offer including those warm nights, by following these top tips!

For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter  and Instagram.

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Sleep Tips

Top 5 Tips To Beat Your Allergies For A Better Night’s Sleep!

Everyone deserves a great night’s sleep – so why let allergies get in the way of this?

If you suffer with irritated eyes, sneezing and a scratchy throat, you’ll likely know that these symptoms can often wreak havoc on your sleep.

During springtime, tree pollen is a common allergen and in summer, grass pollen and ragweed emerge to further plague allergy victims.

Allergies

How Can Allergies Affect My Sleep?

If you suffer with allergies, you’ll likely know that dealing with a runny nose and sneezing can lead to lower morale and energy as a result of sleep deprivation. Not only that, but allergies can cause sleep disturbances such as agitation and difficult breathing that can interrupt or disrupt your sleep even more.

It is also important to note that allergies can lead other illnesses such as bronchitis and even conjunctivitis and asthma. Not only that, but without enough hours of quality rest, you may also experience next-day headaches, feelings of anxiety and depression, lack of concentration and even a lower libido.

The importance of a great night’s sleep cannot be underestimated, and so it is important to protect yourself and limit the rapid reproduction of these domestic allergens so that you can sleep better.

What Can I Do To Prevent Symptoms?

Don’t let your allergies get in the way of a restful night’s sleep!

We’ve provided some useful tips below to help you sleep better:

  • Change your sheets: wash your bedding regularly and, for extra protection, add a mattress protector or encasement.
  • Shower before bed: showering before you hit the sack rinses pollen from your hair and scrubs away dead skin cells
  • Swap out your chemical scents: Air fresheners can contain irritating chemicals, so swap these out for diffusers with essential oils and natural spray fresheners
  • Shut the window: Letting in fresh air on a hot summer night might seem tempting, but an open window provides a clear path for pollen to invade your room throughout the night.
  • Air it out: For mattresses that are still reasonably new and performing well, airing the bed each morning and regularly cleaning mattresses, protectors, pillows and blankets will help to eliminate the conditions under which dust mites thrive.

summer allergies

By applying these little tricks you’ll be able to better manage allergy problems and receive the good night’s sleep you deserve!

For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our  Facebook page and follow us on Twitter  and Instagram.

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Sleep Tips Uncategorised

Sleep Habits: Men vs Women

In the epic battle of the sexes, who comes out on top when it comes to sleep? Do men sleep better than women?

For the women among us, if you share a bed with a male partner, chances are that you’re marvelled at his ability to sleep throughout the night! You’re not alone in this particular battle of the sexes and research shows that men often have a better quality of sleep than women. That said, the research also shows that women function better than men when sleep deprived, so perhaps it all evens out in the end!

Below, our sleep experts have taken a closer look at the key differences between the way that men and women sleep:

Circadian Rhythms:

One of the main reasons that men and women sleep differently is because our circadian rhythms (otherwise known as our natural body clocks) aren’t set to the same time or schedule.

On average, a woman’s circadian cycle is six minutes shorter than a man’s, which means that over time they wake up earlier and need to go to bed earlier.

Hormones:

Hormones have a huge impact on our sleep and women tend to be more regularly affected by these, especially during key biological phases such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

Dreams:

Believe it or not, men and women don’t dream in the same way either. Firstly, men dream more than women and due to the fact that dreams usually take place during REM sleep, women tend to experience less REM sleep than men.

In much the same way that both sexes tend to express and interpret feelings differently, we also tend to look at our dreams from a unique perspective too. Research shows that women are more likely to dream about emotional situations (linked to family, friends or work), whereas men tend to dream about experiences such as fighting, driving or (ahem), sex.

This is, of course, quite a gendered generalisation and there are variations between all of our dreams, based on a wide variety of different factors from age to personality.

Sleep Deprivation:

In general, women experience more issues with sleep than men. However, as we mentioned earlier, women tend to perform better than their male counterparts when they’re low on sleep, and can rebound more quickly from mild sleep deprivation!

For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our  Facebook page and follow us on Twitter  and Instagram.

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Health and Wellbeing Sleep Tips

Want To Know What Stops Your Teens From Sleeping?

Leading a healthy lifestyle throughout your teenage years is dependent on a number of factors, and often a good night’s sleep is overlooked. But let’s face it, getting enough sleep is never a top priority at that age!

Not only does quality of sleep affect our overall health and wellbeing, but also our ability to make decisions, problem-solve and handle stress.

Did you know that the average teenager needs between 8 and 10 hours of sleep every night? Despite this, most adolescents only get about 6.5 – 7.5 hours.

If the teenagers in your household stay up late and always complain about being tired the next day, we’re discussing some of the key reasons for sleep deprivation below. Not only that but we’ve also provided some helpful tips to ensure that your child catches some much-needed ZZZs.

Causes of teenage sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation and how we deal with it will differ from person to person, but here are some of the key causes:

  • Hormonal time shift: hormonal shifts throughout puberty can move a teenager’s body clock forward up to one or two hours, making them tired later in the day. Yet, while the average teenager falls asleep later, early starts for school don’t give them the opportunity to sleep in. This is what we call ‘sleep debt’, which ultimately leads to chronic sleep deprivation
  • Demanding afterschool schedules: homework, sport, music, drama, part-time work, social commitments – the list goes on! All of this will cut into a teenager’s sleeping time
  • Light exposure: light cues the brain to stay awake and exposure to it in the evening from televisions, mobile phones and computer screens can prevent adequate production of melatonin, the brain chemical (neurotransmitter) responsible for sleep
  • It’s a vicious circle: insufficient sleep causes a teenager’s brain to become more active, and an over used brain is less likely to allow us to fall asleep
  • Social attitudes: in the UK, greater importance is placed on healthy eating and exercise in order to lead a balanced lifestyle but often, sleep is left out of the equation
  • Sleep disorder: sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome or sleep apnoea, can affect a teenager’s ability to nod off easily

Top sleep tips for teenagers

With all of this in mind, what advice can we give to teenagers to aid them in a restful night’s sleep?

Sometimes even the smallest of changes can positively impact an individual’s behaviour and sleep, and so we’ve rounded up our top tips below for struggling teens:

  • Choose a relaxing bedtime routine; for example, have a bath before bed, or use mindfulness activities to wind down
  • Avoid computer games, loud music or any other activities that will get your mind racing an hour before bedtime
  • Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea and energy drinks on an evening
  • Set up a comfortable sleep environment – think cool and dark. Your brain’s sleep-wake cycle is largely set by light received through the eyes so avoiding watching TV or using a smart phone before bed
  • Practice the same bedtime routine every night for at least four weeks to ensure your brain associates this routine with going to sleep
  • Get active during the day so you are more physically tired at night

We hope you found this guide useful – and remember that even 30 minutes of extra sleep each night on a regular basis will make a big difference. However, it may take about six weeks before you feel the benefits.

For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.