Sleep disorders are many and varied and they can make life miserable for sufferers. As well as tiredness and lethargy, a lack of sleep can lead to mood swings, irritability and physical ailments.
Of course, not all sleep disorders mean sleep deprivation. For example, Bruxism is the involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth at night. This may not necessarily cause a lack of sleep, but it is harmful for tooth health.

Other sleep disorders can involve falling asleep at inappropriate or inconvenient times. Narcolepsy or excessive daytime sleepiness causes sufferers to fall asleep during the day and at inappropriate times, such as when at work or even when driving.

If you think you are suffering from a sleeping disorder such as this, you should make an appointment to see your GP, who will be able to correctly diagnose and treat you. However, if you are suffering from a sleeping disorder that is linked to not being able to get to sleep or stay asleep (insomnia, for example) then there are practical steps you can take to help improve matters.

Make sure you take the time to wind down and relax before bed. Reading a book in the bath and listening to soothing music is much more conducive to a good night’s sleep than watching a horror movie or playing a violent computer game.

Although many people think it helps, alcohol should be avoided before bed as the type of sleep it can promote is not the deep and refreshing sleep that your body and mind need.

Avoid heavy meals and spicy food before bed, as they are likely to cause digestive discomfort that will hinder your sleep. Instead, opt for a light meal earlier on in the evening and enjoy a hot, milky drink before bed.

Finally, make sure your bed and mattress are of a high quality. You can find quality beds and mattresses at Sleep Masters that will help to promote a refreshing night’s sleep.

Busy lives make for busy minds, and sometimes that can lead to a sleepless night. You may not be feeling stressed and panicky about what is going on in your life but just have a lot to think about, and either way this can lead to hours of staring at the ceiling when you should be sleeping. Keeping all your plates spinning during the day can definitely leave your mind spinning during the night.

There are a few things to try to alleviate this problem. Try tucking a note book under the corner of your mattresses so that you can jot a note to yourself if something vital occurs to you in the night – this will help you to relax as you will not be trying to remember the information. Another way to achieve this is to open the drawer of your bedside cabinet or move something onto the floor – when you see the item out of place when you wake up in the morning you will remember why you moved it.

Another rule to follow is not to bring work into your beds. This may sound obvious but using your laptop to finish off a piece of work last thing at night will mean that when you turn off the light your brain is still in work mode which will not be relaxing at all. Wind down with a book or magazine, or simply have a calming conversation with your other half. Stay ahead by being organised as well, going to bed knowing the school lunches are made and the sports kits packed is bound to make you feel more in control and will lead to an easier morning as well.

Whatever works for you, try as far as possible to download before you lie down, it will make all the difference.

When we think of sleep disorders, we often think of insomnia and nightmares, or perhaps even sleep walking. But one of the most common sleep disorders that many children will suffer from is bedwetting.

Bedwetting is something that many children go through and while some suffer bedwetting due to trauma or stress, for others it is simply a passing phase. It is seen as a problem if it happens more than once per week beyond the age at which children have learned to control their daytime toilet habits.

Bedwetting can be worrying for parents or carers, but it is important not to make children feel bad about it, as this might make the problem worse. There are methods you can try which often help reduce bedwetting.

First of all however, it is important that you identify what is likely to be causing the bedwetting. Visit your doctor or GP with your child to rule out sleep-related epilepsy or sleep apnoea (where the sufferer stops breathing temporarily during sleep) before trying any treatments.

If your child is not suffering from a serious underlying problem such as sleep apnoea or sleep-related epilepsy, one treatment you could try is scheduled wake-up times during the night for your child to go to the toilet. Another method is to use a bedwetting alarm. These alarms are especially designed to be used in beds to wake children when moisture is detected. This will wake them up so they can visit the toilet and hopefully create a learned behaviour over time. You might also wish to invest in a waterproof mattress protector. You can find these at Bensons at very reasonable prices.

Finally, there are medications available to treat bedwetting, some of which are nasal sprays, others are oral medicines. Visit your doctor with your child to discuss the options and figure out which is the best solution for you and your child.

My idea of going on holiday is to stay somewhere that is nicer than my own home, and the older I get the more important the bed is. Yes, I am turning into my Mother! Oh well, I don’t mind actually – she is lovely. And I am so over camping, I am proud to say that I no longer own a tent or an insomnia inducing airbed. Phew!

When guests stay in our homes the same principals apply – we want people comfortable on our sofa beds or guest beds, and certainly not feeling like they would give anything to be at home in their own beds. That really would be a hostessing disaster.

The mattresses we choose are really important – we have invested in memory foam so that my Mum is comfortable when she stays with us, yes, her again! Suffering from osteoporosis particularly in her spine she has a hard time sleeping at the best of times and the memory foam really seems to make all the difference. When making a mattress purchase for the guest room give careful thought to the people who are likely to sleep on it the most often and select accordingly.

The temperature of the room can be a huge factor in comfort as well. What suits you may not suit your guests, so check before closing the windows and cranking up the radiator what their preferences are. Blackout blinds are another favourite of mine and they are ideal for any age from babies upwards – you can always add light in using a plug in nightlight or lamp if required.

If when guest stay they feel relaxed and rested you will all benefit and enjoy your time together more. The recipe for a great weekend with family and friends totally relies on the all important good nights sleep.

Hello, how do you feel today? If you are pregnant and someone asks you this question then you are likely to reply with a long list of the niggles which are troubling you: my back aches, my legs ache, I have indigestion, I can’t eat my favourite foods and probably the biggest problem of all – I am tired all the time.

Looking after yourself properly is important for everyone, but never more so than when you are pregnant and your body is being taken over by the process of creating a new life. Getting proper rest and enough sleep is vital in order to stay healthy and cope with the stress a pregnancy can put on you, but unfortunately various problems can occur which keep you awake or wake you up during the night.

Bedroom furniture is a key feature to get right in order to help: a comfortable bed and mattress are the place to start, and a convenient bedside table to house useful aids such as a drink, CD player or your favourite book. Fresh air and exercise during the day may help you to sleep more deeply too so try and get out and about every day. Keeping calm and not panicking about lack of sleep is also important – if you are at home during the day then try and top up with an afternoon nap if the previous night was disturbed.

Bensons have a great range of pillows and duvets to ensure maximum comfort so make sure you have adequate bedding to support you and your bump properly – many women find lying sideways with a pillow between their knees the ideal position. Keep the bedroom well ventilated too and not overly warm as you are probably generating quite a lot of heat yourself. Unfortunately, sleeplessness can often go hand in hand with pregnancy but try to remain philosophical – at least it is good training for when the little one arrives!

History may have sent you to sleep at school, but how about the history of a good night’s sleep – I bet you’ve never even thought about it. As people we spend about a third of our lives sleeping and so throughout history a comfortable place to rest and rejuvenate has been of paramount importance. Here are a few interesting facts which you might not have heard before about bed frames back in time…

At the beginning of recorded history we believe that beds were little more than piles of leaves, straw or some other natural material used simply to lift the user away from the dirt and cold drafts directly on the floor. However from as long ago as 3200BC there are remains of stone bed frames built in a box shape and likely to have been filled with soft materials for comfort. As we progress through time more sophisticated beds are in evidence: the ancient Egyptians had high sleeping platforms which were reached by steps, and some of the wealthiest even had carved wooden bed frames which were frequently highly decorated.

In later times throughout Europe many beds had curtains or animal skins hung around them for warmth as well as privacy. This remained the case for a long time until the fashion changed so that drapes became more decorative and less functional and were often just around the head end of the bed frame. These days the decadence of the four poster bed that we would recognise from this period in history is back in fashion, however they do not suit everyone, or every home for that matter.

If you are looking for a new bed then look no further than www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk, they have a wide selection to choose from – and not a pile of hay in sight!

First-time college students have a lot to look forward to in their first years in school, and sleeping far away from their parents is probably a huge highlight for many. One downside to that independence is that their independence must often be shared with someone else, most notably a roommate. Sharing one’s bedroom with another is hard enough, but considering the tight space so commonplace amongst freshman dorm rooms, it won’t be only the room that is being shared.
Having a loft bed is not something many 17, 18, and 19 year-olds look forward to. That doesn’t mean using bunk beds is unworkable. When you first arrive at your dorm room, check out the bunk bed mattress type. If it’s extra long, as is the case at many universities, at least you won’t have to worry about having your legs hang off the end of the bed if you’re on the tall side. If you are tall and are stuck with a bunk bed mattress that’s too short, you can always opt to take the bottom bunk and prop up your legs with some other materials. Creativity is essential to making this work.
The quality of the mattress will also need to be considered. If it’s lumpy or too rigid, you may find yourself tossing and turning a lot. Top or bottom bunk, if that happens too often you’ll probably wake up your roommate, and he/she won’t likely be a happy camper after being shaken out of a deep sleep. Using a foam mattress topper is best for lumpy, uneven beds thanks to the even layout of the foam. If the problem is more a rigidity problem, you can opt for a feather mattress topper instead, as it will be soft and comfortable even on a hard mattress. If the bed’s too soft, there’s always the floor at least!
Bunk beds have been shared by college students for generations, and this should be looked at as an opportunity instead of a nightmare. Soon enough, you’ll have your own bed in your own room again, so getting through this obstacle will be one of your last big bedroom challenges (until you meet that special someone, at least). Until then, a few add-ons and adjustments can make just about any bunk bed scenario workable, so long as you’re not prone to rolling off the top bunk (that’s what nets are for, anyway).

When it comes to choosing the right mattress, most people opt for beds and mattresses that are more affordable. While money is a major concern for most people now-a-days, you definitely shouldn’t overlook a quality mattress just because of its hefty price tag. A good mattress is an investment in your overall health and great care should be taken when choosing a mattress for your particular sleeping habits.

In order to achieve a good night’s sleep it is very important that you have a mattress that gives you the proper amount of support where you need it most. Many people have the misconception that a softer mattress is best for a good night’s sleep. In reality a firmer and more supportive mattress will not only help you sleep, but will also help keep your body happy.

If you make it a habit of sleeping on your stomach, then a plush mattress will most likely give you back and neck problems over time. As a soft mattress begins to age, they tend to sag in the center which can wreak havoc on your back and neck. It is difficult to get a good night’s rest when your body is being put under such stress. If you invest the money in a firm mattress with a high coil count, then the mattress will stand up better over time which will offer you the right support to help develop healthy sleeping habits. Even if you sleep on your back or side, a firmer mattress will help you sleep better because your neck is supported in a more comfortable position. Read The Full Story…

People spend so much time in the bedroom in a lifetime that it is a very good investment to buy a high quality mattress. Some people may disagree but then again, some people like to sleep on the floor too!  Wouldn’t you prefer a nice comfortable mattress?

About 1/3 of a persons life is spent sleeping in bed. A mattress is definitely a good investment. Organic mattresses currently promote health and well being as well. The main benefit are the natural ingredients of the mattress.

The natural ingredients used in the organic mattress are some combination of organic wool, organic cotton and organic latex. There are two types of organic mattresses: innerspring and rubber. Both types will be naturally fire resistent because of the natural ingredients.

Not only are mattresses ecofriendly, they are also very beneficial to a person’s health. Many chemicals in traditional mattresses used to make it fire retardent may give off invisible fumes. These fumes are really harmful to humans and can cause long term problems. Read The Full Story…

Once again I have woken up really tired this morning, and cross with myself for not going to bed sooner last night. It always seems to happen when my husband is working away – there is something about a cold, empty bed which just doesn’t hold much appeal. It is typical as well that on the nights when I stay up late the children also wake me up in the night and get up early the next morning, leaving me exhausted and with the distinct feeling that I have burnt the candle at both ends – and in the middle.

If you, like me, have a tendency to put off heading for the comfort of your mattresses at the end of the evening then have a think about what is stopping you and try to break the bad habit. With me it is ultimately down to not liking sleeping alone, so I convince myself that I really need to watch whatever late night show is on television at the time, or that I must read another chapter of my latest novel. My other favourite excuse to myself is that I have been working late and therefore need to relax a bit before bedtime – conveniently missing the point that going to bed is relaxing in itself!

What is making you put off going to your beds? Maybe you think your mind will be whirling with thoughts and stop you from resting, or maybe you are having far too nice a time out and about with friends – even though you know it is a ‘school’ night. Unfortunately it is far too easy to talk yourself into a late night not mattering and push aside thoughts of how you might feel the next morning. My suggestion to you is that the next time you are having that twilight conversation with yourself, be kind to your goodie-goodie side and let them win! Head to bed and feel the benefit in the morning.