How to Sleep? Now That’s The Question

Posted on February 22, 2012 by The Sleep Council, no comments.

Sleep affects us all and lack of it is one of the most common health issues of our times. That’s why it’s one of the most searched for terms on the internet.

How To Sleep is, according to the latest Google zeitgeist list, the sixth most commonly asked ‘How To’ question.

Compiled from the millions of searches made through Google each year, the zeitgeist list – meaning spirit of the times – provides an annual insight into what matters to us most.

And let’s face it; most of us want a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep makes you grumpy, disorientated, more vulnerable to illness and does nothing for your appearance! Who wants that?

Tens of thousands search the internet for help with their sleep. An unlucky few will need expert medical advice to solve the problem but for most people simply following some common sense tips and hints for a good night’s sleep will make all the difference. Try our top sleep tips or watch one of our videos on how to unwind before bed.

So how do you sleep? Have you got any top tips to share with those who struggle to sleep?

Lisa – The Sleep Council

BBC Needs People for Sleep Disorders Series

Posted on February 17, 2012 by The Sleep Council, 4 comments.

Can you help? BBC One is looking for people with serious sleep issues to take part in a ground-breaking new series about sleep called Goodnight Britain. The two-part primetime series will explore the nation’s sleep habits and attempt to improve a selection of serious sleep disorders.

If your sleep is disrupted due to shift work, through a partner’s heavy snoring or you simply cannot fall asleep as well as you would like, then the BBC would love to hear from you.

It needs people whose lack of a good night’s sleep is significantly affecting their lives, and their family’s lives, and who would be willing to follow expert advice to finally put an end to the sleepless nights. These people could be suffering from a selection of sleep disorders ranging from insomnia and snoring to sleepwalking, circadian rhythm disorder and night time eating syndrome. Each of the participants will receive a bespoke treatment, in their own homes, from a team of experts and hopefully start achieving the high quality sleep they’ve been craving.

If you would be willing to follow expert advice to tackle sleepless nights please email your contact details and a description of your sleep disorder to sleep@walltowall.co.uk and a member of the production team will be in touch.

Lisa – The Sleep Council

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2012 by The Sleep Council, no comments.

Bedtime should be a blissful part of any Valentine’s day — the point at which you close the door on the world, cosy up together in bed in a welcome moment of intimacy, then drift off into a solid night’s sleep.

So on that note, I wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day – enjoy!

Lisa – The Sleep Council

Is Sleeping Apart Good For a Relationship?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by The Sleep Council, no comments.

With romance in the air as Valentine’s Day fast approaches, is there still ‘love’ in the bedroom – or does the key to a successful relationship lie in sleeping apart?

Reading the news it seems that more and more couples are sleeping separately with reports that sleeping together may actually be bad for your health. Disruptedsleep can leave many couples short tempered with each other leading to rows and squabbles.

Sleep specialist Dr. Neil Stanley said couples believe they sleep better with their partner, however evidence has proved that couples suffer 50 per cent more sleep disturbances if they share a bed.

It was 10 years ago that we started noticing a problem with couples sharing a bed. A study we did found that almost half of the respondents complained of being awakened up to six times a night. While almost half (46%) fell asleep again within five minutes, others found it impossible to drop off again for an hour or more. The major complaints were against those who snored, hogged the bed clothes and tossed and turned.

A further survey we did in 2008 also highlighted the issue, finding that a quarter of British couples admitted to sleeping separately on a regular basis. It seemed that busy night time routines were driving couples’ bedtimes and even their bedrooms apart and nine per cent of those questioned admitted to always sleeping separately from their partner.

According to the National Sleep Foundation in the U.S, couples sleeping separately jumped from 12 per cent in 2001 to 23 per cent in 2005. The National Association of Home Builders (US) say they’ve seen an increase in requests for “two-master bedroom” homes and predict that by 2015, 60 per cent of all custom upscale homes will be built with two “owner suites.”

In our culture sleeping apart implies that there is trouble in paradise. But in reality, if your sleep habits don’t synchronise then it’s much better, for your relationship, to sleep apart. For most couples who sleep apart, it’s a practical decision and you can still have all those intimate moments of sharing a bed when you fancy it, before departing to your very own space to sleep!

So, if you want this Valentine’s to go down well, it may be that your relationship doesn’t need a fancy meal out or a nice little bit of bling, but in fact a trip down to your local bed shop!

Personally I enjoy having another bod in bed with me and the pillow talk we share at this time. Luckily I still manage to get a good night’s sleep. I’m not sure I would feel the same if I tossed and turned all night. But do you suffer? Do you think sleeping apart is good for your relationship? Or do you prefer to sleep with your partner?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Lisa – The Sleep Council

Keep Your Bed In Tip Top Shape

Posted on February 1, 2012 by The Sleep Council, no comments.

Proper care will keep your bed in better condition during its lifetime. Always read and retain manufacturers’ care instructions and ask your retailer for advice, too. Otherwise, the following tips will help you to get the best out of your bed during its natural life.

1. Use a washable cover to protect the mattress (and pillows) from stains. Barrier fabrics for allergy sufferers are also available.

Leave the bed to air

2. In the mornings, throw back the bed clothes and leave the bed to air for 20 minutes to allow body moisture to evaporate.

3. Unless otherwise advised by the manufacturer, turning your mattress over from side and side and end to end ever three or four months (every week for the first three months) helps upholstery fillings to settle down more evenly. Some more luxurious mattresses, with much thicker layers of fillings designed to mould themselves to the contours of your body, may retain signs of these impressions, despite turning. Non-turn mattresses still need to be rotated regularly.

Beds are NOT for jumping on!

4. Don’t make a habit of sitting on the edge of the bed and don’t let the kids bounce on it.

5. Don’t roll up or squash a mattress to store or transport it – this can cause permanent damage.

6. Handles are designed to help you position a mattress on its base – do not use them to support the full weight of the mattress on their own – they may pull out.

7. Don’t leave any polythene wrappings on a new mattress – dampness, mildew and rotting could all result from a build-up of condensation.

8. Vacuum your mattress and base from time to time to remove fluff and dust. This should be carefully done with a brush attachment so as not to dislodge fillings or damage tufts. Open windows while vacuuming – especially if there is an asthma sufferer in the house.

9. When tackling stains, use mild detergent and warm or cold water. Never over soak a mattress or base.

10. Don’t put a new mattress on a base for which it was not intended, a new mattress on an old base or a board between the mattress and base can impede comfort and reduce the useful life of the mattress – as well as affecting any guarantees or warranties.

Out with the Old
Once you’ve bought yourself a new bed, make arrangements to have the old one properly disposed of (increasingly recycling options are becoming available). Don’t give it to the children, relatives, guests or neighbours. If it wasn’t good enough for you, it’s not good enough for anyone else, either. In fact, it’s a veritable health hazard – get rid of it!

If you have any other tips for us on caring for beds, we would love to hear them!

Lisa – The Sleep Council