Category Archives: In The News

Help your child get a good night’s sleep

If you’ve been watching Channel 4’s Bedtime Live programme, you’ll understand what it’s like for parents with children who don’t sleep. We all know that sleep is important. It’s vital for our physical, mental and emotional well-being. When our children have sleep issues it can be exhausting, affecting the whole family, It was found that sleep deprivation in children can affect parents’ and carers’ relationships, emotional well-being and contribute to feelings of depression.*

How lack of sleep impacts on children

Of course, sleep deprivation for children can be quite significant, too. When children don’t get enough sleep their behaviour and mood can be affected. They may become hyperactive at night leading to drowsiness during the day. Lack of sleep also impacts on children’s ability to learn and function, leaving them unable to reach their full potential. It could also affect their growth.

Why is sleep important for children?

During sleep growth hormones are released and the immune system strengthens, helping your child’s body to fight off illness. It also helps us make sense of the day’s events helping our memory and concentration functions to increase. Ultimately, sleep helps our bodies rest and restores our emotional wellbeing. So how much sleep do children need? The table below provides a guide to how much sleep a child needs at different ages. Please note, times are given as averages as there are no two children with identical sleep habits.

 

Practical tips to help your child with sleep

  1. Keep a sleep diary to help assess your child’s sleep patterns.
  2. Try and understand why your child is not sleeping. If they’re old enough, talk with them about their sleep.
  3. Are there medical reasons why your child may not be able to sleep?
  4. Check what your children are eating and drinking during the day as this can affect how well they sleep at night e.g. sugary snacks can increase energy levels.
  5. Is your child getting enough exercise during the day?
  6. Establish a bedtime routine and be consistent. If you don’t stick to the same routine each night it will not work.
  7. Create a restful environment for your child. Ask yourself: Is your child too hot or too cold? If your child is too cold, you could consider using a double duvet tucked under the mattress of a single bed.  Consider too, noise levels, light and whether your child is overstimulated by toys/computers or electrical devices in their bedroom.
  8. Comfort. Is your child’s bed giving them the proper support? Is it worn or soiled? Is it comfortable to sleep in? Try the Bed MOT to see if your child’s bed would pass.
  9. Finally, aim to wake your child up at the same time each morning to reinforce their night-time and morning routine.

Remember, night-time should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience for everyone!

What to do next

If you are worried about your child’s sleep it may be helpful to talk to your Health Visitor or GP regarding your concerns. At Dalzell’s of Markethill our expert staff are on-hand to advise on any sleep needs you or your family have. As a Sleep Council retailer, we take your concerns seriously and will provide you with the best advice on beds, mattresses and bedding to suit your particular circumstances. Visit us in-store, call 028 3755 1260, email or go online where you’ll find lots of information on getting a good night’s sleep, best buys and choosing the right bed for you. A short drive from Lisburn and located conveniently between Armagh and Newry, we’re perfectly placed to accommodate your new bed purchase. What’s more, we provide a Free Collection and Recycling of Your Old Bed service and Free Delivery of your New Bed throughout our Free Delivery Zone, which extends across Northern Ireland, and Counties Louth, Monaghan and Dublin, in the rest of Ireland.

* Information about sleep, Early Support for Children, Young People and Adults

Northern Ireland Loses Out On Sleep

Great British Bedtime Report 

According to a major new report published today (March 1) by The Sleep Council the average person in Northern Ireland has less sleep than the rest of the population in the United Kingdom. The Report found:

  1. 11:28pm – time average person in Northern Ireland Briton goes to bed.
  2. Average person gets 6hrs 19 minutes of sleep per night (Lowest)
  3. 26% have used alcohol as a remedy to help them get to sleep (Highest)
  4. 46% of people say that worry/stress keeps them awake at night.
  5. 31% of people only get between 5-6 hours sleep per night, whilst 14% get under 5 hours of sleep per night.

The findings – being announced at the start of National Bed Month (March) – come from The Sleep Council’s biggest ever research project. Some 5000 people were surveyed in January 2013 to provide an overview of British sleeping habits. The results are published in an in-depth report – The Great British Bedtime Report.

The Impact of Poor Sleep

Although current NHS guidelines indicate that we don’t necessarily need eight hours sleep, experts believe that most adults require somewhere between six and nine hours in order to feel refreshed and to function well both mentally and physically.

Said Jessica Alexander of The Sleep Council: “Sleeping well is as crucial to our health and wellbeing as eating a healthy diet or exercising regularly…Just one bad night’s sleep affects our mood, concentration and alertness while long-term sleep deprivation has far more serious consequences: it’s been linked to a number of serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.”

What Affects Our Sleep?

To ensure you experience good sleep it’s essential to follow good lifestyle habits and to eliminate the factors that are causing you disturbed sleep. Temperature, light, distraction, comfort and the ability to relax are all major factors that affect our sleep and while many of the respondents underestimated the importance of the bedroom environment, the value of a good bed is recognised. More than one in five respondents say they could improve their sleep simply by buying a new bed. And seven out of 10 (72%) follow Sleep Council advice and have had their bed for less than seven years.

The Report also found that people are prepared to invest in a good night’s sleep with the average person spending £583.05 on a new bed, with the divan being the most widely bought type. What’s more, 63% of us prefer to sleep on a divan bed with 31% of respondents opting for a King Size Bed.

What To Do Now

As a Sleep Council Accredited Retailer, Armagh Beds.com has a great selection of divans, mattresses and double beds in-store and online. What’s more we offer a Free Delivery and Recycling Service throughout our Free Delivery Zone – Northern Ireland and Counties Dublin, Louth and Monaghan – with competitive rates across the rest of Ireland. Located in Markethill, just off the A28 between Armagh and Newry, we are just a short drive from Belfast and easily accessible to Dublin from the M1.  No time to visit, no problem! You can place your order and gain expert advice from our experienced team over the phone on 028 3755 1260 or even by Email. Stocking a wide range of leading bed brands that include Kaymed, King Koil, Respa,Dorlux, Odearest, Slumber Night, Sleeptight, Myers and Staples there’s something for everyone at Dalzell’s of Markethill.

How to Create the Perfect Sleep Environment

The Perfect Sleep Environment

Did you wake up this morning feeling refreshed? If not, you’re not alone. According to the recently published Great British Sleep Survey, people from Northern Ireland are considered among the ‘Worst Sleepers’ in the UK.

What Keeps us Awake?

Citing bodily discomfort, noise, partners, room temperature and light levels as the top five physical factors affecting sleep, “the racing mind” was considered the main cause of Sleeplessness. Affecting us both emotionally and physically, Sleep Deprivation significantly contributes to daytime fatigue and lack of concentration.

What Sleep Advice is Available?

Fortunately though, organisations such as The Sleep Council are here to help, and as a certified member of The Sleep Council, Dalzell’s of Markethill are fully trained to offer expert bed, mattress and sleep advice to our customers.  Or why not check out our Bed and Mattress Buyers Guides at Armagh Beds.com Still unsure if your Bed or Bedroom is giving you the Quality Sleep you deserve? Read on for some top tips  to creating the perfect sleep environment from sleep expert, Kathleen McGrath.

 Top Tips for the Perfect Sleep Environment:

  1. Just the Right Temperature – between 16 and 18 degrees centigrade. Feeling too hot or too cold in the night can lead to restless sleep and wakefulness.
  2. Kept dark. Light is a common sleep ‘robber’ so investing in a good pair of well lined curtains which keep the Light Out and the Room Dark can be really helpful.
  3. Free from Distractions. So lose the laptop, the mobile, the computer games, the television and anything else that is likely to distract from the serious business of sleep!
  4. Comfortable. And central to comfortable is a Good Supportive Bed – the bigger the better (for less partner disturbance) and as good as the budget can stretch to: we spend a third of our life in bed so why compromise on the cost of a good night’s sleep?
  5. Relaxing. The bedroom should be an oasis of Calm and Tranquility – uncluttered and devoted to the land of dreams.

What To Do Now…

As a certified member of The Sleep Council, Dalzell’s of Markethill takes your health and sleep needs seriously.  We want to make sure that you are getting the maximum benefit from your bed and mattress ensuring you years of restful, quality sleep.  At Armagh Beds.com we have produced a series of Bed and Mattress Buyers Guides so that you are assured of making the right choice for your individual comfort and support needs. Or why not Visit in-store today at Dalzells, your local Bedding Experts in N. Ireland. You’ll find us in Markethill’s Main Street with convenient free on-street parking, that’s just off the A28 between Armagh and Newry, a short 20 minute drive from Banbridge or Dungannon and 45 minutes from Lisburn down the M1. You can of course always place your order and gain expert advice from our experienced team over the phone on 028 3755 1260 or even by Email. However you decide to shop with us you can be assured of Expert Advice, A Great Deal and Free Delivery of your Bed or Mattress throughout N. Ireland and Counties Monaghan, Louth and Dublin City, with highly competitive rates available across the rest of the UK and Ireland.