Tag Archives: Stress

Sleeptember Stress Busters

Sleeptember Stress Busters

With the launch of Sleeptember the Sleep Council’s latest research found that 90% of people admit to suffering from some form of stress in their lives, with almost two out of five saying they are regularly, frequently or constantly stressed.

In Northern Ireland 88% of people say they suffer sleep problems when stressed (UK Highest) and 76% have suffered from a sleep disorder. A further 46% say they regularly, frequently or always are stressed.

With millions of people caught in a vicious cycle of stress and sleepless nights the month of September has been identified by health professionals as being one of the most stressful months for many.

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Don’t Let Stress Steal Your Slumber

 

According to The Sleep Council’s Great British Bedtime report, the economic downturn has meant that many people are too anxious to sleep. The report found that 47% of the respondents to the survey said that stress or worry was keeping them awake at night:rising to 54% of women, compared to 40% of men.

Jessica Alexander of The Sleep Council said: “A good night’s sleep can be affected by everything from stress at work or money worries to more practical considerations such as a bedroom that is too hot or cold, or an uncomfortable bed.

“We know from past research that, as a nation, stress levels rise during periods of economic uncertainty and this can have considerable impact on our sleeping habits – as it clearly is doing now.”

Stress can make it difficult for people to fall asleep and to stay asleep, thereby affecting the quality of sleep.

Why we need to sleep

Sleepless nights contribute to a low immune system and can be to be blame for constantly catching colds and bugs. People who sleep less might also weigh more as they have reduced levels of leptin, the chemical that makes you feel full and increased levels of ghrelin, the hunger-stimulating hormone.

Prolonged lack of sleep can also make us more irritable and anxious: getting a good night’s sleep can boost our mental wellbeing. Studies have also shown that people who usually sleep less than five hours a night have an increased risk of having or developing diabetes.

Relaxation Tips to Help Relieve Stress

Relaxation can help to relieve the symptoms of stress. Not only can relaxation help calm us down but it can also help us take a step back from a stressful or worrying situation. The NHS has also produced a very useful guide on stress relieving relaxation techniques, which you might find helpful.

  1. Practise deep breathing and deep muscle relaxation in a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed.
  2. Try and give your mind time to calm down before you try to sleep.
  3. Read a book, which will help relax the  body and tire your eyes.
  4. If you’re concerned about something, try and write your worries down in a notebook.
  5. Try and keep a regular bedtime.
  6. Cut back on caffeine and alcohol.
  7. Ensure your bed and mattress are giving you the right comfort and support levels to aid better sleep.

What to do now

If you are concerned about your health, consult your GP or see medical advice at the earliest convenience. At Dalzell’s we have expert staff on hand to advise on choosing the right bed and mattress to aid better sleep. With over 500 beds and mattresses in stock including orthopaedic and memory foam beds, we’re confident that you’ll find the right bed to meet your needs. We recommend you visit us in-store so you can try out a range of different beds, or if you’re short for time, why not give us a call T: 028 3755 1260 or email us where our staff will be only too happy to advise you on what best suits your circumstances. Just a short drive down the M1 from Belfast, and conveniently located to Newry, Armagh and Lisburn, Dalzell’s of Markethill is your local, friendly independent bed and mattress retailer. What’s more with Free Delivery* and Free Collection and Recycling of Your Old Bed throughout Northern Ireland, and Counties Monaghan, Louth and Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland, you’ll know you’re getting the best deal, at thr right price. Not only that, we’ll also unpack and set-up your new Divan Bed in a room of your choosing and dispose of all the packaging. 

*Delivery throughout the rest of Ireland available at Highly Competitive Rates

 

 

Is lack of sleep affecting teens’ education?

 

Teens and sleep deprivation

A recent study by Boston College found that Sleep Deprivation plays an important role in lowering the achievement of schoolchildren. The research suggested the problem is more prevalent in more affluent countries, with sleep experts linking it to the use of mobile phones and computers in bedrooms late at night.

The BBC reported: ‘The international comparison, carried out by Boston College, found the United States to have the highest number of sleep-deprived students, with 73% of 9 and 10-year-olds and 80% of 13 and 14-year-olds identified by their teachers as being adversely affected…Other countries with the most sleep-deprived youngsters were New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Australia, England, Ireland and France.’

Young people need the right amount of sleep in order to function to the best of their ability. Other studies have shown that sleep patterns in young people are different from those of adults or younger children. This is something that many parents know all too well: that their teens stay up later and lie in bed for longer periods in the morning.  It is generally agreed that teens need about 8 – 9 hours of sleep each night to function best. However, many young people do not get this amount as they tend to go to sleep later at night and are up early for school during the week.

Exams, anxiety and sleep

As many parents know, exam time can be particularly stressful for teens. Feeling stressed and anxious can affect sleeping patterns so it is important that young people learn to establish a good sleeping pattern to help them deal with these times. Chad Minnich, of the TIMSS and PIRLS International Study Center said: I think we underestimate the impact of sleep. Our data show that across countries internationally, on average, children who have more sleep achieve higher in maths, science and reading. That is exactly what our data show.”  

It’s important that you help your teen to learn how to relax if they are experiencing anxiety or stress. An anxious young person will find it very difficult to relax and get a good night’s sleep. One way is to set aside some time each day, preferably before bedtime, to discuss the day and sort out any issues or problems they may be experiencing. Other ways that your teen can help themselves to get a good night’s sleep are listed below.

Self-help sleep tips for teens

  1. Establish a bedtime routine by going to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning.
  2. Try and wind down at night by doing a relaxing activity i.e. something that is not going to stimulate your brain, such as listening to calming music or reading a book.
  3. Incorporate some exercise into your routine earlier in the day.
  4. Avoid caffeine or high-sugar content drinks as they can lead to over stimulation.
  5. Create a relaxing sleep environment in your bedroom. Turn off game consoles, TVs, mobile phones or any other distracting technology devices.
  6. Ensure your bed is giving you the right support. Many teens quickly outgrow the bed they had when they were younger. Many now opt for a double-sized bed to give them extra room and space to stretch out on.

 What to do next

Dalzell’s is an accredited Sleep Council retailer which means our expert staff are on-hand to provide advice on sleep related issues. Visit us in-store to meet with the team where we’ll only be too happy to discuss your bedding requirements. Based in Markethill we’re located between Newry and Armagh, so ideally placed to welcome customers from Banbridge, Dungannon and Belfast.  With over 500 beds in stock, we’re confident you’ll find a new bed that suits your growing teen, or for any other member of the family. No time to visit? No problem. Call us on T: 028 3755 1260,  Email or view our great selection of beds and mattresses online at ArmaghBeds.com. Our bed and mattress brands include Respa, Sleeptight, King Koil, Kaymed, Staples and Myer’s, so there’s a style and design to meet everyone’s sleep needs. What’s more we provide a Free Collection and Recycling of Your Old Bed service and Free Delivery throughout Northern Ireland, and Counties Dublin, Louth and Monaghan.