Archive for the ‘Bedroom Furniture’ Category

Sleep your back better?

Monday, March 31st, 2008

How many times have you woken up with aching muscles and back or neck pain? Sometimes there is an obvious explanation – intense exercise the previous day for example. But when there is no clear cause this is often blamed on ‘sleeping funny’. Luckily, bedstar is here to tell you what exactly this might mean and why is it not funny in reality.

Back pain plagues many people and one of the most significant, but frequently forgotten influences on our back’s health is our bed. UK adults will spend on average 7.5 hours in bed each night and this is when your body needs to rejuvenate. Your back and neck support you all the way through the day, and deserve the benefit of a good night’s sleep.

Your spine has a natural curve to it which arches your back slightly and curves again at your neck. This is the position it needs to be allowed to maintain in bed so it can repair itself. If you sleep in a position which puts your spine out of alignment your back muscles will have to work all night, so it’s no wonder you’ll wake up achy.

Some beds that are too soft will let you sink into them creating an unnatural body shape. Whereas beds that are too hard will put pressure on parts of your body and interfere with your circulation. Any of these problems can inhibit comfortable sleep and if you can feel the springs it’s certainly time to take a look at our comprehensive bed and mattress catalogue!

Whilst there is no absolute rule about the best sleep position to alleviate back pain, there are suggestions which commonly work. If you usually sleep on your back then your body can relax to an extent, but only if your mattress lets you. You can help it out by placing a pillow under your knees to increase the spine’s curve.

Sleeping on your side can be helped by tying a towel or sheet around your waist to provide lumbar support. The position that usually puts the most strain on your back is sleeping on your front. This involves twisting your neck, compressing your lungs and skewing the spine’s natural alignment. Try to edge onto your side if possible if morning neck pain is a problem.

Once you find a bed that gives your back all the support it needs, round off the bedroom furniture with a decent pillow. You need a pillow that supports your head in the position you naturally sleep whilst allowing your neck to relax and take a break. It should also feel soft enough not to irritate your skin and allow air to flow around your mouth and nose.

Buying a new orthopedic mattress may be the solution to all your problems, but if you are a regular sufferer of back pain talk to your GP, and pick your new mattress carefully. Bedstar has a huge selection of beds online so you can find your ideal mattress or dream divan. UK deliveries can be next day for stock items so order a new bargain bed today.

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Wise up to Snoring

Wednesday, November 7th, 2007

For years, people with a snoring problems were the butt of numerous jokes and gags. Most people at some point in their lives will have come across cartoons, pictures and TV shows portraying an overweight man on a mattress, snoring so loudly that he wakes the neighbours.

In truth, there’s nothing remotely funny about snoring. The condition is defined as “breathing during sleep, characterised by harsh sounds caused by the vibrating of the soft palate”, and affects nearly 7 million Britons.

Snoring can point to other sleep conditions, such as sleep apnoea and hypertension. In many cases, it can also lead to daytime fatigue, due to the fact that snorers often suffer from sleep disturbances during the night. Snoring can be successfully controlled, usually after altering certain lifestyle factors, but unlike other ailments, it cannot be ‘cured’ in the strictest sense.
What is snoring?

Snoring is a clear sign that your breathing passage is partially blocked, which leads to abnormal breathing when you inhale and exhale during sleep. The intensity of the snoring can depend on the amount of air passing through the breathing passage and how fast your throat is vibrating. Snoring occurs when the soft palate and uvula (the roof of the mouth), and occasionally the base of the tongue, start to vibrate.

How will snoring affect me?

Snoring can have many adverse effects on people during their waking hours, including finding it hard to concentrate, daytime fatigue and drowsiness and reduced work performance. It’s not just the person snoring that can suffer at the hands of this condition – your bed partner may also experience sleep disturbances during the night.

Snoring Statistics

According to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association, nearly half (41.5%) the UK population snore, with the condition more common in people over the age of 60.

Nearly 7 million snorers in the UK means that 1 in 3 men and 1 in 10 women experience sleep disturbance every night due to snoring themselves, or as a result of a partner snoring.

What causes snoring?

One of the main contributing factors to snoring is obesity and/or a large neck. Drinking alcohol before you go to sleep can also make you snore more, as can having a cold when your nasal and throat passages may be partially blocked.

Snoring is often a sign of sleep apnoea, but despite this, most snorers do not suffer from the condition. There may however, be an underlying cause to your snoring, such as a sleeping disorder. If the problems persist, you should consult your GP.

How can I ‘control’ my snoring?

One of the best ways to tackle snoring is through weight loss. This can help to reduce the fatty deposits in your throat and improve breathing and the circulation of air – meaning it is more likely that you will snore less. Try sleeping on your side with a pillow if you regularly fall asleep on your back.

You could also try a nasal strip (readily available from pharmacies). These strips gently open your nostrils during sleep, allowing for improved air flow.

Two other lifestyle changes to consider are avoiding too much alcohol (especially before bed) and quitting smoking. Abstaining from drink at least four hours before you go to sleep means your airway muscles are more relaxed, whilst quitting smoking altogether can help improve nasal congestion.

Finally, it is important to consult your GP if you are worried about your snoring.

For great value beds online, including cheap single beds, memory foam mattresses and more, browse through the huge product range at bedstar. We know how important a good night’s sleep is, so you’ll find a whole range of beds and bedroom furniture to give you the perfect sleeping environment.

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Women and Sleep Part 2 - The Menopause

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007

Going 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.

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Posted in Bargin Beds, Bedroom Furniture, Medical Articles | 1 Comment »

How to make a perfect environment for getting a good nights sleep

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

Your bedroom should be quiet and relaxing. Unwelcome noise or light, an uncomfortable or worn-out mattress and foundation, or a room that’s too warm or too cool can prevent you from getting the sleep you need. There’s no reason to settle for anything less than perfect sleep.

Make Your Bedroom a Sleep Sanctuary, arrange your bedroom furniture where it is out of the way, but accessible. Try and keep bedroom furniture tidy, so it doesn’t clutter the room.

Is your bedroom conducive to a good night’s sleep? Do you trip over the bedroom furniture when you try to get out? These factors can all make a difference:

Mattress and bed base
Be sure your mattress and the beds base meet your needs for both comfort and support. If you sleep with a partner, your mattress should also allow you both enough space to move easily. Similary, make sure you leave enough room between bedroom furniture and your bed.

Light

Light is one of the body’s most powerful time cues. The rising sun can wake up the brain long before the alarm goes off. A dark room is the most conducive for sleep day or night.

Noise

Sudden, loud noises from inside or outside the home can disrupt sleep. Steady, low sounds, such as the whir of a fan or air conditioner, are soothing because they help block out distracting noises.

Temperature

The ideal bedroom temperature is 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 18 degrees Celsius). A room that’s too warm or too cool can disrupt comfortable sleep.

Follow these simple tips, arrange your bedroom furniture in a sensible way, and you’ll soon be getting a great nights sleep. Why not check out our vast range of beds and bedroom furniture.

Posted in Bedroom Furniture, General Topics | 3 Comments »

Bentley Designs

Thursday, August 16th, 2007

One of the leading suppliers of furniture, Bentley designs have gone from strength to strength since their establishment in 1988. A team of skilled designers are responsible for creating the new collections of bedroom and living room furniture which is now been sold by the leading furniture retailers in the country. Bentley Designs make a range of bedroom furniture and bedsteads. Each bedstead is produced to a high quality finish and has a number of colour options to allow for customisation. The bedsteads come as standard with a slatted base but an upgrade to a mesh base can be made to add extra support to the mattress. Headboards in the same designs can also be purchased to add to a divan bed to give it that extra touch of class.

Bentley Designs also produce a range of dining and living room furniture that can compliment the bedroom furniture. The most popular range Bentley Designs supply is the Tokyo range. This range is designed in American black walnut and has distinctive modern look. There are several pieces in this range including a table and leather chair set, sideboard, nest of tables and entertainment unit.

The Hartford range is new to 2007 and is created from solid American oak with veneers in a matt, oiled finish that’s sealed for practicality. This practical and stylish design works perfectly whatever the space of the room. There are three table size options and a cleverly concealed drawer at each end allows for extra storage space.

The Lyon range is also a new introduction this year, made from American oak with rustic walnut veneers gives this collection a bold, modern look. A multitude of choices within this range means it has great versatility and the ability to fit into any design.

The Nevada range offers a superb balance between quality and design with the practicality that modern homes demand, this range is perfect for more compact spaces where design is just as important as space.

Posted in Bedroom Furniture, Bentley Designs, Manufacturer Articles | No Comments »