January 27th, 2012
It seems that more couples are choosing to sleep in different beds, joining the likes of the Queen and Prince Philip - who also have separate bedrooms – and are finding their relationship has improved significantly as a result.
The Daily Mail has published (January 19th) a selection of interviews conducted with loved-up duos who have made the decision to sleep apart, despite being happy together in their relationship.
Snoring, teeth grinding and conflicting work schedules are just some of the reasons behind these couples making such a statement.
Shelley Harrison, 35, and her partner of five years, Alex Olejnic, 39, feature in the article and support the idea of couples sleeping in separate beds if it suits their relationship – they too sleep in separate rooms, and have done so for the last two years.
Shelley explained: “Sleeping apart is the best thing we ever did. I’ve never slept well with someone beside me – being alone in bed feels far more natural. When we shared a bed, Alex and I spent the night tossing and turning. That’s frustrating when you have to get up early for work.”
January 26th, 2012
Creating a bedroom that is as dark, quiet and comfortable as possible may help individuals who are struggling to get good quality sleep in their antique beds at night, according to a leading sleep expert.
Dr William C Dement, sleep medicine and sleep disorders specialist at Stanford University, offered his words of wisdom in an interview with the Herald News (published January 19th), and emphasised the importance of a regular sleep pattern.
He explained that getting at least 15 minutes of sunlight each day can help cement a healthy sleep cycle, as can refraining from taking naps during the day.
It isn’t a good idea to eat a big meal just before bed, he added, but dairy products contain the natural sleep chemical tryptophan and can help you drift off to sleep. Meanwhile, there is no point getting into bed if you feel tired, either. If you don’t feel sleepy, curling up with a good book and glass of milk can help you wind down.
January 25th, 2012
Filming for the popular Harry Potter movie series may be over, but actor Daniel Radcliffe is keeping a busy schedule and claims that he doesn’t need much sleep on a daily basis.
Daniel, who started playing the role of Harry the wizard when he was just 11 years old, talked about his passion for work that dates back as far as his childhood. He went on to explain that, despite his hectic life so far, he has never really needed much sleep in his single bed saying: “I don’t really sleep much. I never really have.”
It appears that the 22-year-old isn’t intending to take a break anytime soon, either. One of his latest projects – movie The Woman in Black, based on a novel by Susan Hill – is set to open next month (February 10th).
He told the Sun newspaper (published January 24th): “I’ve always slept, kind of generally speaking, for five hours a night going back since I can remember. That’s why I’m an only child. I didn’t sleep a full night until I was eight years old. I woke up at four in the morning every morning like ‘OK, ready to go. What’s going on?’ That’s just always been me.”
January 24th, 2012
Shift work and long work hours not only have the potential to affect the sleep quality and quantity of our nurses in their metal beds, but also their risk of becoming obese by interfering “with adherence to healthy behaviour”, according to new research.
In a study of 2,103 female nurses, published in the latest issue of Journal of Nursing Administration, it was revealed that nurses who have to work long hours on a regular basis enjoyed less good quality sleep than nurses who weren’t on this shift pattern. These nurses were also more likely to pile on the pounds and around 55 per cent of all respondents were found to be obese.
Kihye Han, lead researcher of the study and postdoctoral fellow at the School of Nursing, urged for more research in the area in a bid to improve hospital and patient care outcomes. He also called for napping in the workplace and sleep hygiene educational programs to be supported by health care institutions.
He said: “Considering that more than half of nurses are overweight or obese, increasing availability of healthy food and providing sufficient time to consume it may reduce the risk of obesity and future health problems.”
January 23rd, 2012
Insomnia can lead to “substantial long-term effects” on sufferers’ physical and mental health, according to new research, meaning it has never been more important for doctors to question patients who struggle to sleep in their divan beds in a bid to get to the root of their problem.
In a review published by the Lancet, it was revealed that 70 per cent of insomnia sufferers continue to experience their symptoms a year down the line, while half live with the problem three years later. As a result, they are left open to conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.
The lead authors of the review – Dr Charles Morin from the Université Laval in Québec City and Ruth Benca from the University of Wisconsin in Madison – emphasised the need for routine questioning of patients about their sleep problems.
“There is an urgent need for more public education about sleep and broader dissemination of evidence-based therapies for insomnia, and education and training to prepare health-practitioners to attend and treat insomnia complaints according to clinical guidelines.”
January 20th, 2012
New mum Michelle Heaton is in much need of some quality sleep in her king size bed if her recent comments on Twitter are anything to go by.
The former Liberty X star gave birth her baby girl – who she has named Faith – last week (January 12th) and has since praised fellow mums and the dedication required of them to bring up a child.
The 31-year-old shared her new experiences with fans on the social networking site, tweeting: “Morning tweeps!!! From a very sleep deprived new mum! Lol. Big up all the new mums out there… hats off to you all!”
According to Daily Mail reports (January 13th), Michelle and husband Hugh Hanley have arranged for friend Katie Price – aka Jordan – to be their daughter’s godmother. Ms Price, who is mother to three children of her own, recently expressed her delight at the couple’s offer.
January 19th, 2012
On Monday’s show (January 16th), 11 Celebrity Big Brother contestants were asked to snuggle up in a double bed to win this week’s shopping task and be rewarded with a £500 luxury shopping budget.
In the ‘a minute to get in it’ shopping task, all housemates piled in American actor Michael Madsen’s bed. Mr Madsen is best known for the shifty characters he played in Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs. This was part of a task that saw Big Brother give contestants 60 seconds of notice to jam themselves into specified objects and situations – also including a giant pair of Big Brother’s pants.
Perhaps the celebrities might have had less trouble squeezing themselves into the specifically-produced Celebrity Round Bed from Time4Sleep? This deluxe bed was featured in the first series of the new look Big Brother back in September last year, where Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson rested her head at night.
January 18th, 2012
It is a common practice for people to sleep on a problem to gain perspective on their situation the following morning. However, new research has claimed that doing so could actually make matters worse.
In a study by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in which 106 young adults were exposed to both upsetting and pleasurable pictures and their reactions examined before and after sleep, it was found that sleeping on a problem in our wooden beds could keep unpleasant memories fresh in our minds upon waking.
Lead author of the study Dr Rebecca Spencer explained that the findings relate to the human body’s process of evolution, where the retention of painful memories would teach our ancestors not to repeat the actions that resulted in these feelings in the first place.
She said of the research: “Some previous studies have looked at just memory itself, not how emotional reactivity changes. When they looked at how our responsiveness changes they have a different and limited measure.
“There have been a few studies which look at one or the other but this is the first to look at them side by side.”
January 17th, 2012
Space in Hong Kong is notoriously expensive, which is bad news for tourists travelling on a shoestring budget or for university students hoping to push their money further. However, a firm in Hong Kong hopes to offer these individuals a cheap bed to rest.
Galaxy Stars HK, a capsule bed manufacturer in the region, now offers sleeping pods that take up as little space as possible – measuring just 1.9 metres long, one metre wide and 1.15 metres high.
The development comes in light of the recent hike in price of apartments in Hong Kong, which increased by 12 per cent in 2011, making them the most expensive in the world.
Eric Wong, managing director at Galaxy Stars HK, said of the beds: “It’s like Legos. I want to bring this product to Hong Kong tourists to relieve Hong Kong’s hotel shortage.”
January 16th, 2012
“Sleep tourism” is an ever-growing industry and caters to individuals looking to escape the stress and strain of everyday life and secure a good night’s sleep in a comfortable bed in a relaxing environment. In light of its growing popularity, the Guardian has given its verdict on the best hotels to sleep in (January 13th).
Its top picks are found in various locations across the world, including London, Paris Switzerland and the US. On our own doorstep, in the capital of London, is the Milestone Hotel in Kensington, which offers its customers a “Sleep Experience Package”. During a stay here, you can expect to receive a one-to-one session with sleep expert Tej Samani, a relaxing massage and nutritional advice.
Fancy having your sleeping patterns filmed and have your sleeping problems diagnosed? Then the medical centre at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland is the place for you. Alternatively, if you are a fan of the Wild West, as well as a decent night’s sleep, you may be interested in the Rest & Rejuvenation Retreat at Canyon Ranch in Tuscon. This ranch-inspired sleep hotel preaches the teachings of nutrition, meditation, yoga and self-hypothesis.
