Here at Bedstar, not only do we have fantastic deals on beds online, but we also like to offer some expert advice on getting a good night’s sleep. After you’ve looked through our sleep tips, why not browse through our catalogue for some great bed discounts! (more…)
Archive for the ‘Bargin Beds’ Category
The Lullaby Effect
Monday, March 17th, 2008Tags: bargain beds, cheap mattresses, discounted mattresses, good sleep, sleep
Posted in Bargin Beds, Medical Articles, Sleeping Environments, Sleeping Tips | No Comments »
Alternative Sleep Ideas
Monday, February 11th, 2008Here at bedstar we are always looking for ways to help you get better and healthier sleep, so here are a few tips on alternative therapies which might help sooth you to sleep. Read on to see some natural sleep aids before you browse through our catalogue of beds and discounted mattress.
There’s growing evidence that alternative and complementary therapies can help improve sleep. But how do you know what will work for you and what’s just an old wives tale?
Unfortunately there is no hard and fast answer since everyone reacts differently to these therapies, but there are patterns so trial and error is the most likely way to help put your sleep right. It’s well worth trying a new bed too as being uncomfortable is one of the most common sleep stealers, so once you’ve had a read, check out our bargain beds!
Essential oils have been shown to relieve insomnia and sleep disorders and we’ve listed a few of the more common ones below:
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Sweet marjoram
• Ylang ylang
All of these are (generally) non-toxic and non-irritant, so a few drops in your bath before bed, or sprinkled under your pillow may aid your sleep. They are primarily useful in relaxation and reducing anxiety, which helps you drop off quicker and hopefully wake up less frequently. You might be amazed that just by making your bedroom smell differently you may be able to fall asleep more easily.
Massage is another good way of using aromatherapy oils and it has the added benefit of relaxing muscles. Alas, most of us can’t have a massage before bed every night, but if you are especially stressed or having bad problems sleeping, this technique may be worth a try.
Acupuncture is extremely popular in some parts of the world and becoming more common in the West as an alternative therapy. It involves inserting very fine needles into specific points of the skin and has a good reputation for helping insomnia.
Meditation involves focusing your attention on one thought or thing and is thought to be extremely effective at quieting the mind and relaxing the body. Meditation techniques can be learnt and are useful if worrying before bed or winding down is a problem.
The stretches and focus on breathing that yoga entails has benefits similar to meditation, it combines exercise and relaxation in a way that many people find improves their sleep.
Alternative therapies are mostly safe to try, and the worst that will happen is not seeing any result. Some people however may react to essential oils or it can affect other medication used, so always consult your GP before taking a new supplement or trying any of these treatments
Of course none of the above can make up for a bed that’s not right, so check out our bargain mattress prices and bed discounts. We make it easy to find the right bed that will let you have sweet dreams all night long.
Tags: bargain beds, discount mattress, mattress price, sleep
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Keep the noise down!
Friday, February 1st, 2008The latest in our sleeping guides focuses on noise and sleep. After you’ve had a read, why not take a look at our online beds catalogue. It’s chock full of cheap mattresses and bargain beds in all shapes and sizes from kids beds to luxury king size beds.
When you’re trying to drop off to sleep it can sometimes feel as through the world is conspiring to keep you awake. And noise is one of the main culprits. No matter where you live there will be noises around which can steal your sleep. These range from dripping taps to dogs barking to motorbikes revving outside your window.
Noise levels become annoying between 40 and 70 decibels and some people’s sleep is more easily disturbed than others. As you get older it seems that noise affects sleep more, which explains why some children can sleep through hurricanes whereas music playing next door can keep an older person up all night.
Whilst it’s hard to believe when your neighbour starts vacuuming at six on a Sunday morning, noise can help some people sleep. White noise that you are accustomed to (like a fan or distant traffic) can actually help sooth people to sleep and can mask other noises that might have disturbed sleep.
Often the absence of these noises will stop you sleeping, for instance if you live in the country, you may find the absence of birdsong in the city actually disrupts your sleep more than the added noise of the traffic. Some noises are harder than others to get used to however. The sound of your child crying, or someone saying your name seems to cut through deep sleep and generally wakes us up.
Increasingly the effects of noise on people’s health are being investigated. Since being kept awake by irritating noises adds to stress levels it can make an underlying condition worse.
One study suggests that in the UK alone over 3000 premature deaths from heart disease every year can be attributed to chronic noise exposure. So minimising the sleep disturbance of noise can really help your health, as well as all the other benefits of a good night’s sleep.
The Bedstar Knowledgebase has loads more information about how to get good night’s sleep, and the sleep disorders that might hinder you. Be sure to check out the bedstar catalogue if you are looking to buy discounted mattresses.
Tags: bargain beds, cheap mattresses, discounted mattresses, good sleep, sleep
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The Lowdown on Jetlag
Friday, January 11th, 2008Here at bedstar we continue to bring you anything and everything you need to know relating to sleep. As well as bargain beds and advice on which bed is for you, we have tips on getting a good night’s sleep and explanations of common problems.
Jetlag is the sleep disorder caused by travelling through time zones. It is a temporary affliction which can last up to a few days depending on how many time zones you’ve gone through. Your circadian rhythm (commonly known as your body clock) regulates your sleepiness in a 24 hour period. It takes a little while to adjust to your destination’s time, how long depends hugely on personal susceptibility and age (people over 50 tend to get worse jetlag).
What might help?
There are some ways you can change your behaviour before and after travelling that can minimise the jetlag you experience. When you arrive try not to sleep until after 10pm local time, if you must nap make it less than 2 hours in the early afternoon. It may help to reset your watch to the destination time when you get on the plane, and of course you will sleep better at both ends if you are in a comfortable bed.
Travelling East (e.g. to Europe/Asia)
Jetlag typically lasts longer when you travel in this direction. But there are some things that you can do to help:
• Before you go - Go to bed and wake up an hour earlier each day, seek light in the mornings by going outside.
• When you arrive – Try to get lots of light in the evenings, sunlight is the most effective way to get yourself awake!
Travelling West (e.g. to the America’s)
• Before you go - Go to bed and wake up an hour later for a couple of days and seek evening light.
• When you arrive - Try to get light in the mornings and avoid it in the evening.
Medication – sleeping tablets, either prescription or over the counter can help with jet lag as a short term solution to help you adapt faster. The hints above can be just as effective however and make sure you consult you GP before taking any sleep medication.
As frustrating as jetlag is, it does pass. So if your sleep problems last more than a couple of days you may be suffering from another sleep disorder. You can rest assured that bedstar will bring you everything you need to know about the world of sleep, as well as the biggest selection of bargain beds online. Check out our massive catalogue here to see lots of great bed discounts.
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Sleep and Driving
Monday, December 17th, 2007Regularly missing out on sleep is bad for you, it has many consequences which differ from person to person but when you are sleep deprived you will not function as well as when you are fully rested. The effect of being tired on driving is just one more reason why a proper night’s sleep is important, and bedstar is here to help you get it with a great range of bargain beds.
The British Sleep Foundation is encouraging people to put driving while sleep deprived in the same vein as drink driving – it’s just as potentially dangerous and the cause of many fatalities each year. When you miss out on sleep, your concentration takes a hit and your motor functions and reaction times slow. This can be due to one late or disturbed night, or to a prolonged period of getting a little less sleep than you need.
Are you too tired to drive?
If any of the following are true or you just don’t feel that your reactions are up to scratch then you are not awake enough to be a safe driver, so don’t risk it.
• You struggle to keep your eyes open
• You keep yawning
• You miss a turning or sign
• You can’t remember the last few miles
• Your head keeps ‘nodding’
• You drift onto the rumble strip or across lanes
• You think you just dropped off for a moment
Take a break
No matter how keen you are to get somewhere it is not worth the risk of falling asleep whilst driving, if you get any of the above danger signs at the wheel you should stop and take a break. Have a cat nap – 15 to 30 minutes sleep can be enough to refresh you for a few more hours until you can get to bed.
If you are often sleepy then you may be suffering from a sleep disorder and you should consult you GP. These can generally be treated and getting any problems sorted is important for your health and, if you are a driver, everybody’s safety.
To help you get the best possible night’s rest, bedstar have a massive range of the comfiest and cheapest beds around. We stock all kinds of beds from major brands at the most competitive prices online. So once you’ve found a bargain bed online all you need to do is make sure you find enough time to spend in it, lie back and enjoy.
Tags: bargain bed, bargain bed online, Cheapest Beds
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Women and Sleep Part 2 - The Menopause
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007Going through the menopause can be a very stressful time for women. While your GP can advise on factors out of your control, such as hormones and medication, there are some simple lifestyle changes you can make to ensure that you continue to get a good night’s rest.
While they may be inevitable disruptions to your sleep, such as hot flashes and other natural sleep obstacles, putting our top tips to work can help to tip the odds in your favour and let you enjoy a better quality of rest.
Be Consistent
One of the most important factors that women can control during the menopause is that of a consistent bedtime and waking time. Going to bed late, getting up early and generally confusing your body and brain could lead to more erratic sleep, more night time awakenings and daytime fatigue. This is turn can affect your performance and mood during the day – which naturally, you will want to avoid!
Make Your Bedroom Comfortable
After much scientific research, sleep experts believe that in general, you should only carry out two ‘activities’ in the bedroom. These are love making, and of course, sleep! Not only that, but you should also endeavour to keep your room tidy and free from obstacles – make sure you have a clear path to your bed. If you are looking for more suitable bedroom furniture, here at bedstar we stock a wide variety of styles and sizes to suit any budget.
Think About Your Sleep Environment
Ideally, your room should be dark and quiet to promote the onset of sleep, so if needs be, why not get a pair of blackout curtains, or a facemask and earplugs. Avoid watching television or using a computer immediately before you go to bed, as this will stimulate the brain and make it harder for you to ‘shut-off’ and relax. Also bare in mind the temperature in your room – which should be cool (without being chilly). Obviously your own body temperature may play a part in how comfortable you feel during sleep, so a good tip is to have an extra blanket and/or a moist cloth close at hand should you feel too hot or too cold.
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
You should avoid alcohol and tobacco, especially before you go to bed. Whilst there are plenty of myths around that alcohol can actually help you sleep, it is actually a stimulant that is more likely to lead to night time awakenings. The same is true of tobacco and caffeine. Try a healthier alternative, such as a fruit smoothie or juice.
If you’re bedroom needs turning from a stressful environment into a heavenly sanctuary, why not visit bedstar today and browse through our extensive range of bargain beds and quality bedroom furniture.
Tags: bargain beds, Bedroom Furniture, Beds
Posted in Bargin Beds, Bedroom Furniture, Medical Articles | 1 Comment »
Restless Leg Syndrome
Thursday, August 16th, 2007Here at Bedstar.com, not only do we offer you great deals when buying bargain beds online, but we also like to share our expert advice on getting a great nights sleep. After you looked through our medical articles, why not browse through our catalogue for some great bargain beds!
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a disorder caused by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest. The severity of the sensations can range from mildly uncomfortable to extremely painful. The most distinctive part of the disorder is the symptoms are only triggered when the individual lies down to relax and as a result, lack of sleep and daytime fatigue is a common occurrence.
Many people with RLS report the lack of sleep affects their lives quite considerably and jobs, personal relationships and daily living become affected as exhaustion leads to memory loss, lack of concentration and the inability to complete daily tasks. It is currently unknown how much of the population suffer from RLS - many individuals don’t seek medical attention for fear of not being taken seriously.
RLS occurs in both genders, although is has been known to be more common in woman. The syndrome may begin at any age, even as early as infancy; most patients who are severely affected are middle-aged or older. In addition, the severity of the disorder appears to increase with age. Older patients experience symptoms more frequently and for longer periods of time.
Researchers have found that certain stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may aggravate or trigger the symptoms in some patients. Some studies have shown that a reduction or complete elimination of such substances may help relieve symptoms, although it still remains unclear whether elimination of such substances can prevent RLS symptoms from occurring at all.
Although movement brings relief to those with RLS, it is generally only a temporary measure. However, RLS can be controlled by finding any possible underlying disorder. Often, treating the associated medical condition, such as peripheral neuropathy or diabetes, will alleviate many symptoms.
RLS is generally a lifelong condition for which there is currently no cure. Symptoms may gradually worsen with age. Current therapies can control the disorder, minimizing symptoms and increasing cycles of restful sleep. In addition, some patients have remissions, periods in which the symptoms can decrease or disappear for long periods of time, although symptoms usually eventually reappear.
Check out our latest prices when you buy bargain beds online. We offer a massive product range to help you get the best night’s sleep possible. As well as offering bargain beds online, we have superb deals on discounted mattresses, leather beds and much more. For the most competitive bargain beds online, check out our special offers below.
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