Category: Sleep Tips

Sleepless Nights For Parents Can Last Up To Six Years!

Post author By sophie
Post date 08.03.19

Being a parent can be one of the most rewarding jobs – but it doesn’t come without its challenges. A recent study by The Telegraph has found children will disrupt your sleep for at least six years.

Research tracking almost 5,000 parents found that even when children had reached school age, parents were still suffering with significantly worse sleep than before.

Sleep Satisfaction

Unsurprisingly, sleep satisfaction and duration was at its worst in the first three months after birth, the study found.

Mothers lost an hour’s sleep a night in the first three months, while fathers lost 15 minutes.

Lead researcher Dr Sakari Lemola, from the Department of Psychology at the University of Warwick, said: “While having children is a major source of joy for most parents it is possible that increased demands and responsibilities associated with the role as a parent lead to shorter sleep and decreased sleep quality even up to six years after birth of the first child.”

With daily worries said to double after having a child, we’re not surprised to hear that parents – and their sleep routines – are affected so much.

However this doesn’t mean there is no way to remedy this or to ensure your sleep environment isn’t fully optimised.

Here at Sleepeezee we believe your best night’s sleep starts with your environment – and most importantly your bed. If your bed’s not offering you the support and comfort you need then those sleepless nights are going to be 10x harder than before.

If you’re in need of a better night’s sleep, discover our collection of handcrafted beds, each designed to give you the great night’s sleep you deserve. This combined with a room designed to optimise your sleep will make sure those precious hours aren’t wasted.

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.

How to Make The Most of National Bed Month

Post author By sophie
Post date 04.03.19

National Bed Month is here!

Yes, that’s a whole month dedicated to encouraging you to spend more time in bed – what could be better?

Organised by the National Sleep Council, National Bed Month takes place every year throughout March. Its main purpose is to create awareness of the importance of getting a good night’s sleep – and how having the right bed can help.

Here at Sleepeezee, we couldn’t agree more and we think you should get involved too. Here’s a list of ways you can make the most of National Bed Month.

Put your bed through an MOT

You sleep in it for 6 – 8 hours a night, almost 365 nights a year. In fact, you probably spend more time in your bed than in any other place in your home. But when was the last time your bed had an MOT?

Fortunately, a bed MOT (that’s Mattress Obsolescence Test) doesn’t involve lugging your mattress to the nearest servicing centre. You can carry out your very own assessment from the comfort of your home, by taking The Sleep Council’s quick quiz.

Complete a digital detox

Do you frequently find yourself falling asleep with the TV playing away in the background?

There’s no denying technology has a big role to play in our lives – but it shouldn’t at bed time. It’s well known that digital distractions can play havoc with our sleeping routines, so why not kick tech out of your bedroom this month and see how it improves your sleep – chances are you won’t even miss it!

Watch your diet

Avoid over-eating before bedtime this month and choose foods with sleep-promoting chemicals such as chicken, turkey, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, peanuts, beans and milk.

Equally, limit stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine which reduce sleep quality and prevent you feeling rested.

Try out a new mattress – Sleepeezee style

National Bed Month is the perfect time to start thinking about a new mattress. What you sleep on plays a huge part in how well you sleep.

A bed with the correct support and comfort will ensure you wake less throughout the night, aren’t disturbed by your partner and are less likely to wake up feeling tired or aching.

If your bed isn’t doing its job make sure you discover our collection of handcrafted beds, each designed to give you the perfect night’s sleep.

Upgrade your bedding

When it comes to creating your optimal sleeping environment, it’s not just about the bed itself.

While your bed and mattress are vital to a healthy, rested night’s sleep, it’s really important to combine them with bedding that performs too.

So if you’ve completed your bed MOT and are happy with your mattress choice, it’s time to turn your attention to your bedding. And what better way to treat yourself than with some luxury textiles? For maximum comfort, look for natural fibres for the perfect sleep-enhancing combination.

There you have it, our five top tips to help you make the most of National Bed Month.

We’ll be sharing more tips and advice on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages so follow us for your daily dose of all things Sleepeezee!

Lifestyle Sleep Tips

How To Avoid Tiredness At Work

Post author By sophie
Post date 26.02.19

Do you often find yourself feeling tired at work and tempted to shut your eyes – just for a minute? You’re not alone.

Whether you work full time, part time or from home, everyone’s energy flags now and then – and for many reasons. But if you’re constantly running out of steam at work, it could be your brain’s way of signalling that you’re burnt out.

Fear not, we’ve pulled together five top tips to help you stay more alert at work…

Stay hydrated

We all know we’re supposed to drink between six and eight glasses (1.2 litres) of water per day but many of us admittedly fall short – and the dehydration can affect our energy and focus at work.

Sipping caffeine may give you a short term boost but drinking water throughout the day is far more effective – and healthier!

Revive your senses

Circadian rhythms regulate our sleep cycle and are influenced by sunlight so try to spend at least 30 minutes outside each day. This will increase your alertness throughout the day and promote good sleep at night.

Give your eyes a break

Many of us spend too much time behind a screen at work – as well as on our smart phones throughout the day.

Try to avoid staring at your screen for long periods at a time as the strain on your eyes can make you seriously tired. Also, why not read a book at lunch time instead of scrolling social media?

Start a conversation

If you feel yourself drifting away, engage in a conversation with one of your colleagues to help stimulate your mind.

Or, if you’re worried about disturbing co-workers, you could pop in your headphones and listen to some energising music.

Stand up

Sitting for too long can make you feel tired so if possible, stand or walk round the office regularly.

Desks that can adjust to standing positions offer great options for people who just need to work through a lull or want to get the benefits of added circulation.

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

Health and Wellbeing Sleep Tips

How To Maximise Your Children’s Sleep This Half Term!

Post author By sophie
Post date 17.02.19

As a parent you’re probably no stranger to worn-out children on the Sunday evening after the half term break.

Some call this ‘Sunday night syndrome’, others call it ‘Sunday fear’. Either way, it often occurs after having an eventful, fun-packed week and a sudden realisation that it’s time to go back to school.

As fun as half term can be for your little ones, it can also be detrimental to their sleep routines. This may leave your children dragging themselves back to school on Monday morning feeling drained.

That said, getting a good night’s sleep on a Sunday can boost their chances of a bright and productive week ahead.

Here are our top tips for helping you maximise your kids’ sleep this half term…

Keep to their regular bedtime schedule

It’s important to keep your children’s sleep routine consistent – this includes weekends and school holidays!

Allowing them to sleep in – or stay up late – can damage the routine you’re trying to establish.

Turn off electronics

All electronics should be shut off or taken away at least an hour before bedtime to ensure a restful night’s sleep.

Not only are they mentally stimulating, the artificial light they emit tricks the brain into thinking it needs to stay awake as it associates light with daytime.

Keep them fit and healthy

A healthy diet combined with regular exercise will help your children wind down quicker at night.

A good quality diet has been proven to boost sleep and keeping your children active will ensure they’re worn out come bedtime.

Create an ideal sleep environment

Your children should associate their bed with sleep – not other types of activities.

If they enjoy spending time in their room during the daytime, try getting them a beanbag to sit in as they read or play video games. This way you can ensure that your bed is identified strictly with sleeping.

We hope this shows you just how important good quality restorative sleep is for your children.

The recommended amount of sleep for children is at least 10 hours to allow their brains to grow and develop, particularly at primary school age. As you’re probably already aware, when they don’t get enough sleep at night it can start to show during the day!

What do you do to ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep? Let us know on our Facebook page or Twitter.

Sleep Tips

Simple Steps to Improve Your Sleep Routine

Post author By sophie
Post date 22.01.19

With a number of factors affecting how well you sleep and your sleep routine, it’s natural to encounter the odd restless night.

However, when sleepless nights become a regular occurrence, it’s important you take it seriously. Even if you think you’re still sleeping ok, you’ve probably slowly become accustomed to an average night’s sleep.

Falling asleep may seem like an impossible dream when you’re awake at 3 a.m., but you have more control over your sleep than you may think. Following healthy sleep habits can be the difference between restlessness and restful slumber – we know which we’d prefer!

Researchers have identified a variety of practices and habits – known as “sleep hygiene” – that can help most people maximise the hours they spend sleeping, even those whose sleep is affected by insomnia, jet lag, or shift work.

Making simple but important changes to your daytime routine and bedtime habits can have a profound impact on how well you sleep, leaving you feeling mentally sharp, emotionally balanced, and full of energy all day long.

So if your mind is in overdrive during the night and you can’t sleep, here are some simple, but vital, tips to help improve your sleep routine:

1. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and other chemicals

2. Turn your bedroom into a sleep-inducing environment

3. Only go to bed when you are truly tired

4. Increase bright light exposure during the day

5. Reduce blue light exposure at night

6. Reduce irregular or long daytime naps

7. Don’t eat late in the evening

The bottom line

Sleep plays a key role in your health and wellbeing – and it shouldn’t be underestimated.

Let’s look at the facts… One large study linked insufficient sleep to an increased obesity risk of 89% in children and 55% in adults. While other studies conclude that less than 7–8 hours per night increases your risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

If you are interested in optimal health and wellbeing, then you should make sleep a top priority and incorporate some of our tips above.

And don’t forget, your mattress could be to blame too. Here’s five signs it’s time for a new mattress – you can view our full collection here.

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Health and Wellbeing Sleep Tips

Top Five Tips For Getting to Sleep When You Have a Cold or the Flu

Post author By sophie
Post date 14.01.19

If you managed to avoid catching a cold so far this winter, we salute you. But that’s probably not the case for the majority of us. What started as a few sniffles quickly turned into a streaming nose, body aches and an unbearable tickly cough which almost always guaranteed a bad night’s sleep – sound familiar?

According to NHS research, over 65s, pregnant women and young children are most likely to catch a cold during the winter months – although that’s not to say you won’t even if you don’t fall into one of those categories!

Colds spread most easily through groups in close contact, such as families. A number of different viruses can cause a cold, so it’s even possible to have several colds one after the other, with each one caused by a different virus.

There may be not be a cure but we’ve pulled together some useful tips to help you beat the symptoms and catch up on some much needed sleep!

Choose the best sleeping position

Many people think it will help to stack extra pillows when they’re struggling to sleep with a cold – but it can actually cause your head to sag forward, worsening your breathing problems. A better alternative is to layer pillows to form a triangular shape to ensure your neck is supported.

Lying on your back may also worsen a postnasal drip – experts suggest sleeping on your side instead and if you wake up with one side of your nose blocked, try switching positions.

Maintain a consistent room temperature

You may be tempted to turn the heating up when suffering with a cold but don’t fall victim to this common mistake! Instead, keep the thermostat at a comfortable level: 20°C – 22°C.

Something else that’s often overlooked is the humidity. Dry air in your bedroom can worsen your symptoms and leave your nose and throat feel parched. Try using a humidifier or opening a window to maintain moisture levels in the air.

Don’t drink alcohol

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to shift a cold, but don’t get ahead of yourself! Alcohol is likely to dehydrate you and make other symptoms worse.

The thought of swollen sinuses should be enough to put you off until you’ve fully recovered.

Stick to your nightly routine

Studies suggest that people who don’t get enough ZZZs are three times more likely to catch a cold than those who get eight or more hours of sleep a night.

Although there’s nothing more appealing than an early night or a nap on the sofa, it’s best to wake up and head to bed at the same time as usual when you’re sick. Sticking to a schedule not only makes it easier to fall asleep but it can also help you avoid catching another cold.

Ensure you have a comfortable bed

Regardless of whether you have a cold or not, an uncomfortable bed will leave you with many restless or even sleepless nights.

If your bed isn’t doing its job make sure you head on over to our website to see our full collection of handcrafted beds, each designed to give you the perfect night’s sleep.

Don’t let cold and flu season ruin your January… follow these simple steps to a happier, healthier new year. For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.