Magnesium: can it really be the secret to a better night’s sleep?
When you go through a period of poor sleep, you’ll try anything to help you drift off. Herbal teas, relaxing music, special pillows… the world is full of supposed ‘cures’ for insomnia, with the latest being magnesium supplements. But is magnesium the miracle solution it’s being heralded as? Can one tablet really be enough to […]
How electricity changed our sleep patterns
Throughout history, people have always worked during the day and slept during the night, only waking when the sun rose or the cock crowed. That’s just one of those self-evident historical facts, right? Well, not necessarily. In the pre-industrial age, people’s sleep habits were rather different to what they are today. The Industrial Revolution transformed […]
Does the moon actually affect our sleep?
There are many myths and legends surrounding the full moon. It’s a time of magic, of strangeness, of werewolves, witches, and fairies. It is also, apparently, a time of disturbed sleep. But is this just a story like all the others? The word ‘lunacy’ does comes from the Latin word ‘luna’, showing that the moon […]
Lifestyle guidance: which tips and tricks should you follow and which old wives tales should you avoid?
We’re a society that constantly sets targets for ourselves, and this is especially true when it comes to our health and wellbeing. Good health and wellbeing is a game of numbers, with 8 hours of sleep, 10,000 steps, 5 servings of fruit and veg, and 8 glasses of water per day just some of the […]
How does air pollution affect our sleep?
The presence of air pollution is a bigger problem than many think. Even in the UK, air pollution poses serious health risks, with long term exposure to toxic and low quality air linked to the prevalence of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, dementia and lung cancer. According to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), air […]
Are bacteria the key to a great night’s sleep?
There’s no doubt that a clean and hygienic sleep environment is essential for both physical health and quality rest. But could bacteria actually play a critical role in achieving quality sleep? As the room that we spend most of our time in (at least 8 hours if you’re doing it properly), the bedroom needs to […]
What role do your genes play in the quality of your sleep?
Many of us struggle with sleep at some point in our lives, whether it’s due to a stressful work situation, a family issue, or simply a mattress that’s seen better days. But for the unlucky minority, poor sleep can be a lifelong issue. If you count yourself among the 10% of adults who suffer from […]
5 exercises to help you sleep better and wake feeling refreshed
There are many steps you can take to improve the quality of your sleep. A consistent bedtime, cutting down on alcohol and caffeine, and creating a relaxing sleep environment will all promote a relaxing night’s rest, but new research suggests the true secret to a good night’s sleep may lie in certain kinds of physical […]
The surprising relationship between sleep and weight management
Do you struggle with your weight? Do you find it near impossible to resist sugary snacks or fatty foods? Well, if you also struggle to get enough sleep, the reason might be more than simple lack of willpower. Sleep is not only vital for overall health and mental wellbeing, but for maintaining a healthy metabolism. […]
5 tips for handling the summer heat through the night
While we all look forward to long hot summer days, summer nights are another matter altogether. When you spend a sleepless night tossing and turning because of the heat, it can prevent you from enjoying all the good things summer has to offer. Luckily there are ways to combat the oppressive heat of a midsummer […]