Monthly Archives: January 2011

Do you often find yourself pulling the Duvet up over your head and going back to sleep when your alarm clock goes off?

Are you rushing around every morning so much so that you end up missing breakfast?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you are not alone; as it appears that many of us are oversleeping and turning up late to work.

New research has shown that employees still struggle to get up in the morning, with potential consequences for health, working lives and even integrity.

An online survey, in support of Farmhouse Breakfast Week Campaign, has revealed that one in three people would blame someone or something else for sleeping in, with excuses ranging from the bizarre to the most brilliant.

It turns out the younger generation are the worst offenders too, with 40% not taking the personal blame for their lateness, compared to just one in seven 46-55 year-olds.

EXCUSES, EXCUSES

The excuses findings included; traffic, bad weather, ill kids, alarm not going off; and the car not starting.

Furthermore, they were the family pet disappearing, long queues at the coffee shop, burnt toast and that they forgot what day it was and thought it was the weekend.

The survey exposed that four in ten respondents had overslept and missed breakfast at some point during the working week, with one in seven missing three or more breakfasts.

Karen Levy, from campaign organisers HGCA, said: “Whilst we all like that extra bit of time in bed in the morning, oversleeping can have consequences, like missing breakfast as these results indicate.

“Research shows that breakfast can offer many benefits, like aiding concentration and mental performance, setting us up for the working day.

“This is why we are inviting everyone, as part of Farmhouse Breakfast Week, to shake up their morning routine to ensure they make time for breakfast, as well as arrive at work on time with hopefully no need for excuses!”

Do you want to lose weight? Do you find yourself going for a brisk walk with your dog to shed some of those extra pounds?

Well if so, then you are going to love what we are about to tell you.

A new study has suggested that a night of sleep is worth a two mile walk.

The findings, published in the Journal of Physiology, state that an adult who misses one night of sleep spends the same amount of energy as that needed to walk just under two miles.

Obviously we spend more energy when awake as opposed to sleeping, but this new study shows just how much energy is used during a sleepless night.

BURN CALORIES

Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder, in America, have found that those who get a normal night of sleep burn about 135 fewer calories than those who stay up all night.

This amount of calories is equivalent to the energy burned during a two mile walk.

For the study, the research teamed observed seven young adults who were required to stay in bed for three days straight. They gave each subject the same number of calories and then required some to stay awake while others got normal sleep.

According to the findings, it seems it might make sense staying up late in order to remain trim.

HEALTHY

However, the researchers stressed that energy expenditure during sleep deprivation is neither a safe or effective strategy for weight loss, but the study may have implications for those with sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea.

Kennet Wright, lead researcher, said: “Understanding the function of sleep, especially in humans, is considered one of the most important scientific enigmas.

Whether you burn energy asleep or awake, one thing is fundamental; having a quality, cosy duvet and pillow is paramount.

Sometimes the food that we eat before we go to bed can affect how quickly we fall asleep.

If you struggle to nod off when your head hits the pillow then it may be down to your diet and choice of food that you’re eating in those few hours beforehand.

Consuming certain foods can help you sleep better though and improve the quality of sleep.

Here at Duvet and Pillow Warehouse we care about you getting a good nights rest, so here are the top 10 foods to munch on to help you drift off…

Almonds: They contain magnesium which promotes both sleep and muscle relaxation.

Bananas: An excellent source of magnesium and potassium, which can help relax overstressed muscles.

Oatmeal: A warm bowl is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and potassium, all important nutrients that support sleep. But go easy on sweeteners as too much sugar can have an anti-calming effect.

Hard-boiled egg: High in protein, this satisfying snack can help you stay asleep.

Edamame: Especially helpful for women who are dealing with menopause-related sleep symptoms; the natural estrogen-like compounds found in soy based products can help control those night time hot flashes that can disturb sleep.

Cherries: Whether frozen, dried, fresh or in juice form, researchers found that they naturally boost the body's supply of melatonin.

Cereal: A small bowl of whole-grain cereal that's low in sugar may also help you sleep soundly.

Chamomile tea: This is one of the oldest garden herbs which was considered a universal remedy in ancient Egypt as it has a relaxing effect.

Honey: Recent studies have discovered that glucose, like the one contained by honey, can stimulate the brain to reduce alertness.

Flax seeds: These little seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, acids that act as natural mood lifters. So, when you are a lot on your mind that is preventing you from drifting off, these seeds should be considered as an antidote.

As well as being careful what foods to eat, it is also important to have good quality Pillows, Duvets and bedding to get a good night sleep.

We all know what it can be like going back to work or school after the Christmas holiday; a bore.

This is especially the case with regards to getting your-self back into the routine of waking up early and going to bed at a reasonable time.

So you can imagine that this might be a tad little bit harder for those grumbling adolescents who want to sleep in all day and do nothing.

Here are some top sleeping tips for parents and your teenagers living at home, to avoid the annoying effort of trying to drag them out every morning.

• Talk to your kid about the importance of sleep and the need for at least eight hours’ of sleep on school nights.
• Encourage regular exercise; at least 20 minutes three times a week will help them fall asleep better.
• Suggest a reduction of caffeine intake that means drinking fewer fizzy drinks such as coke as well as coffee.
• Show them that eating too much or too little close to bedtime can an over fill or empty the stomach which prevents sleep onset, or causes discomfort throughout the night.
• A bed routine, doing the same things in the same order before going to sleep every night, can help sleep patterns.
• Have a good sleep environment: a room that is dark, cool, quiet, safe and comfortable makes a relaxing atmosphere.
• A comfortable bed is extremely important to a good night’s rest as is fresh clean bedding.
• As well as a bed mattress and bedding, a good quality Duvet and Pillow ensure a peaceful sleep.

It has been reported that habits learned in adolescence often become lifetime habits; so make sure good sleep habits are learned early with value-for-money Goose down quilts at Duvet and Pillow Warehouse.