Tag Archives: Sleep

Cocoon Sleep Squad: Cocoon Mattress Review

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cocoonmattressreview
 cocoon-sleep-squad-cocoon-mattress-reviewAs an editor of a magazine you get offered a lot of stuff to try. It is quite cool actually, because you tend to be the first to know about new brands and trends. So much so with Cocoon. The Sleep Squad were in full force and sent us one of their mattresses to try. It comes in a box the size of some (large) golf clubs. Completely manageable. You then take it out and it is covered in plastic which you take off obviously. It also came with a free pillow.

You tear along the give of the plastic and then roll it out. It says do not use scissors, but I had to just at the very beginning of the plastic because I could not find the give. It wasn’t as easy as I am sure other people find it. But small niggles aside, the entire thing is easy enough. Cocoon recommend that you wait 72 hours before you sleep on your new mattress so it returns to its normal state following transit.

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Cocoon is designed and made by Tempur Sealy, the world’s largest mattress company. With 130 years’ experience to build on, the engineers know what it takes to create quality mattresses that not only stand the test of time but provide lasting comfort for everybody. The mattress moulds to the body and gives a good nights sleep. It leaves you feeling weightless. You sink into it, but not in a bad way. It is very comfortable and supports the entire body. You can even try before you buy for 14 nights and they have a free return policy. You can choose a soft or firm mattress and they do single, double or king size. The single is £350. Cocoon will collect your old mattress for you and your new mattress has a 10-year warranty.

We were very impressed with the mattress. Not only does it look good, but it really is a superior mattress which give you a good nights sleep. Cocoon is a great name for the brand as it fits the mattress perfectly. You feel very cosy indeed. It is definitely worth the money and the delivery is seamless. Try it for yourself. We take our sleep very seriously at Frost and we give this a thumbs up.

Below: the mattress before it expands. They compress it for delivery. 

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It’s official – this summer has been a sleep washout with a third of Londoners saying it’s the worse they can remember for getting a good night’s rest.

cocoonmemoryfoammattress

Humidity, Brexit anxiety, heightened pollen levels and being generally uncomfortable means the capital’s slumbers have been tossing and turning from June to September.

And with 80 per cent of us only managing between five and six hours sleep this summer, much less than the recommended eight hours, we are seriously suffering from sleep deprivation, according to new research.

Now help is at hand for all those insomniacs as the Cocoon Sleep Squad is hitting the streets with everything from sheep to count and choirs singing lullabies to bringing new mattresses for restless Londoners as the Indian Summer continues.

“Our research has shown that the humidity this summer has been the main culprit for night-time wakefulness, followed by frazzled children, nocturnal pets and noisy neighbours, which is why we’ve decided to do our bit to help the nation catch up on  some ZZZs with our sleep squad,” said  spokeswoman Hayley Parle.

When it comes to getting some shut eye, almost a fifth (18 per cent) said they read a book, one in seven of us (14 per cent) turned on tablets or phones to try get into the land of nod and almost 10 per cent swear by having a bedtime bonk!

Weirdly one in 20 still try the traditional method of counting sheep to drop off while a more modern five per cent got up make a brew or have a fag.

In fact, a quarter of us (25 per cent) just gave up trying to snooze altogether which is why the Cocoon Sleep Squad is here to help the nation get back to sleep.

Of those Londoners who made it through the night, their favourite sleeping style is being cocooned in sheets (25 per cent), with a fifth (21 per cent) preferring the face-up starfish position.

“We’ve extended the Cocoon Sleep Squad for the next few weeks because the stifling weather is set to continue and we want to do our bit to make sure we get some well needed shut-eye,” added Hayley.

To call in the Cocoon Sleep Squad tweet @CocoonSleepUK/visit  www.uk.cocoonsleep.com and use #needanewmattress to stand the chance of winning a bed in a box, the new Cocoon from Tempur Sealy.

 

 

 

Power through the New Year with Whitworths Shots

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So January’s finally over and how many of those resolutions have you stuck to thus far? In a study conducted by leading healthy snack brand Whitworths, nearly 10 million Brits wave goodbye to their diet plans as we enter into the month of February due to faltering willpower. So what is the solution and how do we claw back our start of year “New Year, New Me” mindset?

Frost had the pleasure of experiencing a workout of a very different kind hosted by the brains behind Whitworths called The Willpower Workout. The workout is the foundations of what will help us to turn our healthy eating patterns into habits. So why do so many of us struggle to keep and maintain healthy eating patterns? The study showed that the population is set to lose willpower due to things like boredom of healthy food, with 26% of us claiming a lack of low calorie snacks are easily available, 19% feeling down about the bad weather and 9% of us a lack of sleep Karen Cox, Brand Controller at Whitworths comments; “As a brand that promotes healthy snacking, we believe that working on maintaining willpower is the key to succeeding in losing weight. Our ‘Willpower Workout’, which launched this month, is a little different to classes you’ll find in your local gym – featuring experts in the fields of hypnotherapy and sleep therapy as well as fitness and nutrition.”  

Want to have a go…? Check out this video to try the very first and exclusive Willpower Workout.

So who are Whitworths? They are the brain-child of the award-winning shots range, not the alcoholic kind ahem, but the kind that will give you a satisfying and healthy snack boost throughout your day. In this day and age where the demand for healthy-snacks is through the roof, Whitworths are committed to providing us with something a lot tastier than your average rice cake or salad. Whitworths Shots have it all covered with eight incredible flavours to choose from;

Berry and White Chocolate Shot: An indulgent mix of cranberries, extra juicy, plump and large Chilean flame raisins and creamy white chocolate pieces (93 calories per pack)

Toffee Pecan Shot: A sweet and satisfying collection of juicy sultanas, dried chopped dates, toffee pieces and crunchy pecan nuts (99 calories per pack)

Fruity Biscuit Shot: A fruity blend of sunshine sultanas, cranberries and rich white chocolate-coated shortcake biscuits (93 calories per pack)

Orange and Chocolate Seed Shot: A classic mix of orange flavour cranberries, golden, succulent raisins, milk chocolate-coated and natural pumpkin seeds (95 calories per pack)

Raisin and Chocolate Shot: Plump golden and crimson raisins paired with rich dark chocolate balls make this the perfect simple-but-satisfying treat (91 calories per pack)

Blueberry and Seed Shot: A delicious juicy jumble of raisins, pumpkin seeds, yogurt-coated sunflower seeds and dried blueberries (98 calories per pack)

Cranberry and Almond Shot: A super-saintly mix of juicy, succulent crimson raisins, little jewel cranberries and toasted, crunchy almond slices with no added refined sugar (97 calories per pack)

Apricot and Seed Shot: A ‘clean eating’ blend of chopped, tender apricots, tangy cranberries, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds with no added refined sugar (88 calories per pack)

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All at under 100 Cals per shot. So turn your healthy eating patterns into habits with Whitworths Willpower Workouts and let us know how you get on. Remember, it only takes 21 days to make a habit.

Shots are available now in Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Superdrug and WHSmith from 49p per pack.

https://www.facebook.com/WhitworthsUK/
www.whitworths.co.uk

Survey Reveals Men Are Healthier Than Women

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Men are healthier and happier than women in general according to a new survey. 

battle of the sexes

Health and Happiness, a nationwide study of 2,000 men and women found that men reported a higher rate of happiness when it came to their weight, shape, appearance, and the way they are perceived by others (55%). Women, on the other hand, were more self-conscious and slightly less satisfied with their happiness levels at around 49%. Women are also much more likely to try dieting (71%) compared to men (47%).

Men don’t feel stressed as often either. Almost 60% of male respondents said they only felt stressed once a month, whereas 60% of women said they felt anxious once a week or more.
Over 70% of men also claim they rarely felt depressed or had mood swings, compared to half of women (50%) who admitted to feeling low or unhappy at least once a month, if not more.

Male respondents reported that they were less likely to have trouble sleeping at night – 51% said restless sleep occurred around once a week or more, compared to 60% of women.
Headaches, bloating or poor digestion were less of a problem among men. Almost half (49%) said they rarely got headaches, compared to 64% women who said they experienced them at least once a month or more. For 70% of men, bloating and poor digestion would only occur once a month or less, but almost half (43%) of women said it was a weekly or daily problem.
Men also reported higher satisfaction levels when it came to their professional lives, from job security (51%) and salary (45%) through to career prospects (46%) and overall finances (50%).

 

Londoners rate themselves the healthiest
Londoners rate their city the health capital of the UK, with 59 per cent of people describing themselves as ‘healthy’, the highest proportion in the UK and above the national average of 54 per cent.   The average units of alcohol consumed per week was relatively low at 5.5 units, compared to Manchester, which saw the highest average of 6.7 units. 79 per cent are non-smokers, and only 12 per cent classed themselves as regular smokers.  Londoners are also keen exercisers, with half doing at least 20 minutes of exercise twice a week or more. They have a high sleep average of 6.7 hours per night and get their serving of five a day an average of 3.16 times per week, compared to the lowest average of only 2.6 times a week in Belfast.

 

Sleep leads to happiness in Sheffield
Sheffield has been revealed as being home to the happiest residents, probably because they are most likely to get the right amount of sleep. 40 per cent said they get a healthy average of seven hours sleep per night, compared to the national average of 34 per cent. Under half (48 per cent) said they were only likely to experience difficulty sleeping once a month or less.  That might be why one in ten said they never feel stressed or anxious. They were also happiest  in the country with their  family life (75 per cent), where they live (66 per cent), shape and weight (54 per cent), and appearance (55 per cent), compared to their respective national averages of 69 per cent, 62 per cent, 52 per cent and 52 per cent.

 

Feeling glum in Brum
Birmingham was revealed as the unhappiest and most stressed city in the UK. The city had the highest number of smokers and its residents suffered the most ailments in the country.  Brummies had the lowest average when asked to rate their happiness in terms of their relationships (56 per cent), family lives (63 per cent) overall health (55 per cent) and their appearance (50 per cent), below the respective national averages of 60 per cent, 69 per cent, 60 per cent and 52 per cent.

 

Over 30% are smokers and the city has the second lowest quitting rate.  When it came to stress and anxiety, 62 per cent said they experienced one or the other once a week or more. Jobs were cited as the biggest cause of stress (31 per cent) closely followed by money (29 per cent). Brummies also suffer the most ailments, with 48 per cent experiencing bloating and poor digestion, 44 per cent having headaches, and 47 per cent complaining of low moods once a week or more. Nearly half (44 per cent) reported difficulty sleeping most nights.

 

Unhealthy but loved up in Belfast
Almost half (46 per cent) of respondents from Belfast described themselves as ‘unhealthy’ when asked to rate their current health status – the highest percentage in the country.  Over half (53 per cent) complain of difficulty sleeping once a week or more and one in ten say they get daily headaches. More than one in four (27 per cent) experience low moods or depression once a week or more, and 37 per cent admitted that they would only do 20 minute workout sessions once a month or less. They were also the least likely to get their portions of five-a-day each week.

 

Although Belfast had the fourth highest number of smokers in the UK, it also had the best quitting rate, with a quarter of people saying they have given up smoking – the highest in the country. They also came top of the poll when questioned about how happy they were in their relationships and love life, with an average happiness score of 67 per cent. They also reported the most satisfying sex lives, with an average happiness rating of 55 per cent – above the national average of 51 per cent.

 

Cardiff is the capital of cardio
People living in Cardiff are the exercise pros of the UK with over half (54 per cent) doing at least 20 minutes of exercise twice a week or more, the highest percentage in the country. But despite high levels of exercise, Cardiff residents are the least content with their shape and weight, with an average happiness score of 49 per cent, just below the national average of 52 per cent.
When it came to money, however, the city was the happiest with their overall finances, with an average happiness rating of 52 per cent, compared to the national average of 49 per cent.

 

Sleep deprived Scots
Edinburgh is home to anation of sleep deprived residents with nearly 1 in 10 people only getting up to four hours sleep a night, a good two and half hours below the national average. When they do sleep, over 70 per cent said they have restless nights or difficulty sleeping. Feelings of stress and anxiety were a weekly occurrence among 47 per cent of respondents and money was cited as being the biggest cause of stress (39 per cent). The city also experienced a high proportion of daily ailments with one in five suffering from arthritis and joint problems every day – the most in the country.

 

Manchester drinks the most

Manchunians have admitted to being the biggest drinkers in the UK with the highest weekly average units of alcohol consumed. Residents admitted to drinking an average of 7 units of alcohol per week, compared to the national average of 5 units, and 15 per cent disclosed that they consume on average over 15 units per week.

Despite this, almost half (49 per cent) of residents described themselves as healthy when asked to rate their health status. Manchester was also revealed to be the second keenest city when it comes to exercise. Nearly one in four claim to do at least 20 minutes of exercise four times a week or more, closely behind the highest which was Cardiff at 26 per cent.

There is also a relatively low rate of smokers, with only 12 per cent of people regarding themselves as regular smokers.
Bristolians best at beating the bulge
Bristol is the city of successful dieters, with 42 per cent saying they have tried dieting and that it has worked for them. 17 per cent of respondents said they hadn’t tried to diet but would be willing to give it a go. They get their serving of five a day on average three times a week but happiness levels are below the national averages when it comes to their salary, career prospects, appearances, job security and overall finances.

 

Liverpool high anti-diet rate
Liverpool has the highest rate of anti-dieters with a quarter of residents saying they would be reluctant to try one – the highest in the country. Only 14% who had never tried one before said they would be open to the idea, still the lowest percentage in the country.  They are also one of the least likely cities to get regular exercise with 36 per cent reporting 20 minutes of exercise once a month or less.  76 per cent said they felt stressed once a month or more, the second highest in the country after Birmingham.

 

Leeds stressed and losing sleep
Over half of Leeds residents (54 per cent) experience stress once a week or more. Money was cited as the biggest cause of stress (34 per cent), followed by jobs (24 per cent) and then family (14 per cent). Leeds also experiences frequent levels of sleep difficulty, with 64 per cent saying they have trouble sleeping once a week or more.  Over one in ten admitted to only getting up to 5 hours of sleep a night.

 

This Book Will Make You Calm, Confident, Happy, Sleep Book Reviews

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January is all about becoming a better person. Hope is high and a feeling of renewal is in the air. So this series of This Book Will Make You…books came at the right time to be reviewed. Let’s find out if they can make you Calm, Confident, Happy and Sleep.

This Book Will Make You Calm, happy, confident, sleep

This Book Will Make You Calm

We got sent a lot of books on becoming calm at Christmas time and I think we all know why! We are all becoming more stressed in life and becoming calm will improve your health and life in general. The book helps you tackle anxiety and stress, it has great relaxation techniques, helps you handle panic and maintain a work-life balance. I love the techniques, graphs and strategies. I learned a lot reading this book. It is easy to lose perspective in life and forget about looking after yourself: this book reminds you what to do, and gives you lots of great, new, information too.

This Book Will Make You Happy

Being happy. One of the greatest pursuits of human beings. We seem obsessed with happiness and trying to achieve it. Following on from the format of the other book- and all of the books- the book has strategies, tests and graphs. It focuses on CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) which has become trendy and mainstream, which is not to put it down in any way, I have heard amazing things about it and it works for a lot of people. The book helps you challenge negative thoughts, combat anxiety, manage your emotions and stop procrastinating.

There are positive mind maps and the three biggest crimes against happiness. A great book to bring you closer to happiness.

This Book Will Make You Confident

Everyone wants more confidence and everyone goes through wobbly periods This book promises the tools to build your self-belief and realise your full potential with practical exercises and the latest CBT research. Each book lets you know how it all works and what CBT is. They have great mind maps and techniques which I find very useful. This is a helpful book which helps you deal with insecurity, nature self-belief, challenge your inner critic and play to your strengths. Good book.

This Book Will Make You Sleep

I have been having trouble sleeping so was happy to review this book. Especially after finding myself cleaning the oven at 2am. That is when you know you have a problem. CBT, tips and exercises fill the book, sleep myths are dispersed, sleep facts are given and the book gives great advice. I find myself sleeping better after reading it. Recommended.

This Book Will Make You Calm, Confident, Happy, Sleep by Dr Jessamy Hibberd & Jo Usmar

Released 6 January 2014

This new series for busy, creative people will give you the tools to deal with common problems from anxiety and lack of confidence to sleeplessness and general wellbeing.

Psychologist Dr Jessamy Hibberd and lifestyle journalist Jo Usmar draw on the latest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to show how to develop coping strategies and learn practical techniques to tackle a range of problems quickly and effectively. From reducing worry and boosting energy levels to breathing and mindfulness techniques, these accessible, handy-size books will make your life more serene, stress-free and fulfilled.

About the authors:

Dr Jessamy Hibberd is a clinical psychologist who worked for the NHS before setting up her own private practice. She is a chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and accredited with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

Jo Usmar is a freelance journalist and editor. She has contributed to a variety of national media, as well as writing a regular relationship column for Cosmopolitan. She has appeared on TV and radio commenting on lifestyle and relationship issues.

 

Diane Kruger Beauty Tips

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Diane KrugerThe incredibly stylish Diane Kruger has revealed her secret for beautiful hair at music festivals, “My hair is fine, so I use a spritz of Klorane dry shampoo for body,”

The gorgeous 36-year-old also said sleep is her secret weapon. ‘I try to get nine hours of sleep a night. It’s really that simple. Of course, it’s hard to do sometimes, especially when I am working, but I feel and look better when I sleep well. I also noticed a great improvement in my skin when I gave up smoking. There are no secret potions, though.’

Klorane dry shampoo should be sprayed on the roots and then massaged in. It gives a great body boost and I am a fan myself. Don’t spray to close to the hair or it will make your hair white. It costs £7.50 from John Lewis.

Catching some ZZZZ’s – Choosing The Right Mattress For You

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Recent studies have shown that having a new mattress improved sleep quality by 62.0%, sleep comfort by 70.8% and reduced back pain by 55.3% and back stiffness by 50.7% over a four-week period. That’s a huge change in someone’s quality of life and it’s all down to their mattress. We spend an awful lot of time asleep, yet take for granted all the effects that it has on us.  It’s not simply a case of getting enough sleep, but the quality of sleep that counts and that is impacted by your surroundings and, specifically, your mattress.

The average life of your mattress is around 9 years. In 9 years you will spend approximately 24,000 hours in bed, so it is reasonable to suggest that your mattress is an investment not to be taken lightly. Choosing the right mattress is essential to a happy relationship with your bed, so follow our guide to help you make the right decision.

Contrary to popular belief, a hard mattress is not necessarily the best for your back. Provided that the mattress has a good quality structure, the softness is down to personal preference. Choose a mattress retailer who specialises in mattresses to ensure that the structure of the mattress has not been compromised for comfortable padding that will only last a few years.

Don’t be afraid to slip off your shoes and lay on several mattresses at the store to try them out. If you’re in the right store the salespeople will encourage you to do so. All the mattresses will feel comfortable at first, especially if it has been a rather arduous shopping trip, so you will need to spend a good 15 minutes laying on the mattress, in which time if it is too firm or soft, your back will probably start to let you know or you may feel uncomfortable when you stand again.

Think about the needs of your partner too. If you are co-sleeping, you will need to ensure that what’s perfect for you in a mattress is suitable for your partner.

Do your research. It’s so easy to be bombarded with jargon and science and the wide array or types of mattress technology now available. Before you start shopping, find out about the different types of mattresses and the pros and cons to each so you are already armed with knowledge.

Once you’ve made your choice, ensure that your mattress comes with a warranty or 30 day in-home trial. A higher end mattress should come with this guarantee, which will give you peace of mind that if you’ve made a colossal mistake, you won’t have to live with discomfort.

Now you’ve got your new mattress, looking after it properly will ensure that it stays in good condition. Air your mattress every morning by just throwing the bedclothes off for 20 minutes to allow the body moisture collected overnight to evaporate. Vacuum your mattress every time you change your bedclothes, this will help to keep dust mites to a minimum and help to keep your mattress clean.

Sweet Dreams!

Can’t Sleep? What’s Keeping You Up?

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Can’t sleep? What’s keeping us Brits awake at night?

Recent research has revealed the NHS is spending £50million a year on drugs to help combat insomnia. We take a look at what could be the cause of the nation’s unrest and what we you can do to help nod off naturally.

· The Reason: Restless legs

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) can vary in severity and causes an irresistible inclination to move your legs. RLS can cause discomfort in the feet, calves and thighs and in many cases, the condition can be distressing and disruptive and effect daily activities including sleep.

Acupuncturist Rachel Peckham notes: “Over 50% of people in the UK suffer with sleep disorders of some kind, generally attributed to a stressful lifestyle, RLS is a common problem. Traditional Acupuncture is known to be enormously beneficial for helping correct sleep problems. Most people find treatment wonderfully relaxing, as acupuncture is known to calm the nervous system and also affect hormonal outputs by increasing endorphin production.”

Try it: To find a practitioner in your area call the British Acupuncture Council on 020 8735 0400 or visit www.acupuncture.org.uk

· The Reason: Stress

“Stress is a collection of physiological, cognitive, affective and behavioural symptoms that are caused by difficult situations in our daily life. It can affect each individual in different ways ranging from less severe symptoms such as headaches all the way up to depression and anxiety.” Comments Dr David Edwards’, “exercise and a healthy diet are crucial to maintaining a relaxed mind and body. I would also recommend some of my patients take Rhodiola rosea as a short term option when suffering stressful periods. Taking 200mg, twice a day could help to control the release of stress hormones whilst helping to improve energy and concentration levels, which can help reduce symptoms of stress.” Rhodiola rosea is an ‘adaptogen’ – a substance of natural plant origin that is able to increase the body’s resistance to stress and normalise imbalances with minimal side effects.

Try it: Vitano® contains Rhodiola rosea root extract 200mg and is available from Boots, leading pharmacies and health-food stores priced at £13.27 for 30 tablets. Always read the label. For further information visit www.vitano.co.uk.

· The Reason: Caffeine

Drinking tea and coffee throughout the day can have a negative impact when it comes to bed time. Cutting down on caffeine by reducing the amount of tea/coffee/fizzy drinks really can make it easier to nod off, if you find it hard to get through the day without your caffeine hit try reducing the number of caffeine laden drinks and cut back on all caffeine after 3pm. Expert Nutritionist Kirsten Brooks notes “Camomile is a wonderful herb with sedative properties, helping us to relax and encourage sleep. As a warm drink, it’s a great way to unwind in the evening.”

Try it: Heath and Heather’s Camomile infusion has been finely crafted using the highest quality Camomile, perfect for relaxation and unwinding, this gentle and soothing infusion could also help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

. Naturally caffeine-free

. 100% Natural

. Available in packs of 20 & 50

. RRP from £1.49 & £2.89

· The Reason: Hot Flushes

It is estimated that 8 out of 10 women in the UK experience symptoms leading up to the menopause and of these, 45% find their symptoms difficult to deal with. Symptoms can be wide ranging from insomnia and anxiety to hot flushes and night sweats impacting lifestyle and relationships.

Kathy Abernethy, Chair of the UK Menopause Nurse Group and a member of the Medical Advisory Council of the British Menopause Society comments: “After years working in a busy NHS menopause clinic, advising women in consultation as well as running education programmes for nurses, I understand how the menopause affects women not only physically but also psychologically. I often give women lifestyle and diet advice and try to encourage women to look positively at this time of change and to take steps to ensure good health.”

Details of a new study in the Journal of Gynaecological Endocrinology note how red clover supplementation can provide a natural alternative to help reduce hot flushes.

Try it: Promensil Double Strength (80mg) dietary supplements have been specifically developed to help women manage symptoms of the menopause naturally and effectively without resorting to HRT. Promensil Double Strength has been proved to reduce hot flushes and night sweats by 75%. Available from Boots, Ocado, good independent chemists and health food shops. Visit www.promensil.co.uk for further information or call 01903 280 860.

· The Reason: Nocturnal Cramps

Nocturnal muscle cramp could well be the new snoring, causing distress and sleep disruption to more than 13 million people in the UK. 82 per cent of women have suffered with the complaint, with 12 per cent experiencing nocturnal cramps every night. It is an extremely painful and distressing condition with many people suffering in silence. Insomnia specialist and founder of the Sleep School, Dr Guy Meadows said: “Quality sleep is essential to ensure you feel regenerated and ready for the day ahead. Interruptions caused by emotional or health problems can be very detrimental to everyday life, making it harder to concentrate at work and affecting relationships. Frustration and anxiety about disturbed sleep can cause it to become even worse.

“People often aren’t aware that they could be suffering from a sleep condition that is easy to treat. Instead of worrying about the problem, it is important to trust your body’s ability to sleep, making lifestyle changes or taking appropriate treatments where appropriate.”

Try it: Crampex is the only product available without prescription for the prevention and treatment of night cramps and it doesn’t have any of the side effects associated with taking Quinine (which is regularly prescribed). Crampex costs from £4.29 for a pack of 24 tablets and is available over the counter from pharmacies. More tips and advice can be found on www.goodsleepadvice.com and the Good Night Guide consumer leaflet is also available on request.

· The Reason: Bloating

Much like the rest of your body, your digestive system needs time to rest. Going to bed and getting up at set(ish) hours each day can help our digestive system work more effectively and improve the regularity of our bowel movements. Waste material in the colon impairs our ability to absorb vitamins and minerals which can affect prevent the immune system from working at its optimum level.

Try it: Sun Chlorella® ‘A’ is a natural green algae whole food supplement from Japan – an excellent choice for bloating as it contains a staggering range of nutrients including around 10% fibre, to help move food through the system more effectively. Nutritionist and Natural Health expert Nadia Brydon explains “Sun Chlorella ‘A’ acts as an ‘intestinal broom’, cleansing the bowel by clinging on to toxins like mercury, lead or pesticides in your intestines and then eliminating them as waste.

Sun Chlorella is priced £21.95 for 300 tablets (a 20-30 day supply) and is available from www.SunChlorella.co.uk, free phone 0800 008 6166, www.victoriahealth.com, www.NutriCentre.com, www.bodykind.com, Revital stores, www.revital.co.uk and good health stores.

· The Reason: Not tired enough

If you haven’t burned enough energy throughout the day, it’s likely that you’ll find bedtime a struggle when it comes to nodding off, Justin Way, Personal Trainer from Pure Gym explains “There are a million ways you can give yourself a workout at home without spending a penny on expensive equipment. When hoovering standing on your left leg whilst pushing and pulling the hoover around with your right arm. Hop to move around the room and alternate legs every 2 mins. This will work the core massively whilst bringing great tone to the legs and bum.”

Try it: Pure Gym’s 24-hour, no contract membership starts from £17.99 a month. For more information, visit www.puregym.com

Leading scientists ask British public to measure their sleep

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· International survey findings to be discussed at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival

· What is sleep, why do we need it and how much of it do we really require?

Researchers from the universities of Oxford and Munich have called on the British public to contribute to an international survey looking at the quantity – and quality – of sleep amongst the population.

Professor Russell Foster, Chair of The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, and Professor Dr Till Roenneberg from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, who are both experts in chronobiology – the study of the circadian rhythms which govern our waking and sleeping patterns, and their interaction with daylight – will discuss the responses to the survey at the Festival in June 2012. The pair will discuss the regenerative powers of sleep as well as comparing and contrasting the sleep patterns of the UK respondents with their continental counterparts.

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete online, and asks questions relating to work schedule, differing sleep habits during the week and at the weekend, consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, exposure to cigarettes and the time taken to fall asleep each night.

So far, more than 65,000 people in Germany have taken Professor Dr Roenneberg’s simple online survey relating their sleeping habits, and the scientists are keen to capture more data relating to the British population.

Russell Foster, a professor of circadian neuroscience at Brasenose College, Oxford, and Chair of The Times Cheltenham Science Festival said, “We felt that the arrival of British Summer Time, with its lighter mornings and longer evenings – plus people perhaps feeling like they’ve ‘lost’ an hour’s sleep – was an excellent moment to get people thinking about the quality and quantity of sleep they get.

“With the help of this questionnaire, we aim to understand the underlying complexity of the biological clock by gathering a picture of everyday behaviour. We all know that individuals show distinct preferences for various activities over the course of a day. A simple example is the time at which an individual prefers to go to bed and get up. Collecting this information will help us understand how and why the biological clock ticks.”

Each participant will receive a personal profile which evaluates their chronotype, and compares their results to those of other participants. A person’s chronotype relates to their preference for mornings or evenings – those who are at their best at the crack of dawn are often described as ‘larks’, whereas people who brighten up in the evenings are known as ‘owls’.

Professor Dr Till Roenneberg, of the Munich Centre of Chronobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, adds, “It will be particularly interesting to gather more information on British sleep patterns in order to compare chronotypes of people living in different geographical locations.

“This will enable us to consider factors such as longitude and latitude, which can make a difference to the amount of daylight to which people are exposed.”

People are encouraged to take the survey online.

Professor Russell Foster will be talking about the regenerative power of sleep at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival on Tuesday 12 June 2012 at 6:30pm.

Priority booking is open to Cheltenham Festivals Members from Monday 26th March, ahead of public booking from 2nd April. The full programme is available at www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science