Archive for the ‘discounted mattresses’ Category

Shift Work

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Here at bedstar we like to find out about anything and everything that can affect your sleep, and then we suggest ways to help. So after you’ve looked through our fantastic selection of online beds and seen our great discounted mattresses take a look at our knowledgebase to find the answers to all your sleep-related questions.

Shift work is a fact of life for many people and is increasingly common as our 24 hour society evolves. But people who work outside the standard office hours of 9-5 are particularly prone to sleep problems since their work time often overlaps with their natural sleep time.

The standard shifts are 7am – 3pm, 3pm - 11pm and the night shift 11pm – 7am which encompasses the usual sleep time for individuals. Around 1 in 5 people who work shifts report falling asleep during work. Most shift workers also experience a reduced amount of sleep and poorer quality sleep in comparison to those not working shifts.

When you are tired your ability to concentrate is decreased and this can lead to accidents at work and whilst travelling there and back. It is especially dangerous if the work involves operating machinery where injuries can happen if concentration lapses. Being constantly tired is detrimental to all aspects of a person’s life including their health and social time, so it’s not just at work that the negative effects show up.

Your body has a 24 hour circadian rhythm which tells you when to sleep and wake up, usually according to the day and night time. Deliberately staying awake all night and then trying to sleep during daylight hours is a difficult adjustment for your body and it can take a long time to adapt. Whether you work the same shift or mix different ones it’s likely that during days off you will go back to ‘normal’ waking and sleeping times to fit in with friends and family. This makes it even harder to get used to the shift sleeping pattern.

There are a few simple ways that people can improve their sleep around whichever shifts they are working, but the most important is to prioritise sleep. It is vital for people’s health and safety that they get enough sleep to function properly so if you find yourself dropping off at work try to find a couple more hours each day to rest.

Having people at home be considerate of your sleep can be a big help too. Ask them to avoid vacuuming, listening to loud music or coming in and out of your bedroom whilst you are trying to sleep. If you are alone then turn the phone ringer off so calls from day time telemarketers don’t wake you, and get some blackout curtains in the bedroom to simulate night time.

Here at bedstar we help you take the first step towards great sleep – a comfortable bed. Our online bed catalogue has the cheapest beds and discounted mattresses around so you can pick the one which suits your routine.

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Sleep and Depression

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

Depression can affect your sleep more than most people realise, so read on for the latest installment in our Knowledgebase series. If you are looking to buy a new bed, you can browse through our online catalogue full of the cheapest beds online.

Sleep and depression are inextricably linked in a cause and effect relationship that can make both worse. Sleep disturbance is a core symptom of clinical depression and there is also a lot of evidence that people with insomnia can go on to develop depression.
Sleep and depression form a vicious circle which is hard to get out of: you are worried so you can’t sleep, you get tired and worry about not sleeping makes it worse, the more tired you get the harder it is to handle the rest of your life.

How depression can lead to sleep problems
When you are depressed, sleeping can be harder due to worried thoughts going round in your head, frequent night awakenings, and not relaxing enough in bed to drop back off again. 80% of people with depression have some sort of problem with their sleep
In about 15% of people with depression, oversleeping can occur. This is especially common amongst young adults and those with manic depression. Sometimes those with depression want to escape from how they feel and all the things that worry them, so staying in bed is a way to stay separate.

Depression also affects people’s appetites, often making them stop eating and lose weight but sometimes ‘comfort eating’ and gaining weight. Changes in weight affect your health in general, with repercussions on your sleep.

How sleep problems can cause depression
We all know that having a couple of bad night’s sleep affects our performance and mood, and a sleep disorder can be long running and sap much of your energy. As your mood deteriorates it can make getting on with your life harder and take the enjoyment out of things - potentially leading to depression.

Insomnia suffers are more likely to develop depressive disorders and those who have been depressed in the past can relapse if their sleep becomes disrupted. Very severe sleep problems in people with depression have been linked with increased suicide risk, on the other hand improving sleep quality can also help people’s moods.

Treatments
Exercise is increasingly considered to have anti depressant properties, and it’s proven to help people sleep better. So doing some exercise during the day could help both problems as well as provide a good distraction from other things you might be dwelling on. Try not to exercise within a few hours of going to bed though as this makes sleeping harder.

It’s often a good idea to try to handle sleep disorders and depression through behavioural changes before trying medication but the symptoms are diverse, so everyone will need treating differently. Antidepressants sometimes have sedative side effects so can treat both insomnia and depression; there is a huge range of options to treat different types of depression and sleep disorders. Consult your GP if you think you may be suffering from any of the above.

Bedstar not only bring you up to date information on sleep related topics, we’ve also got the biggest selection of cheap beds online. You can find discounted mattresses in all shapes and sizes to help you get a great night’s sleep.

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Alternative Sleep Ideas

Monday, February 11th, 2008

Here 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.

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Keep the noise down!

Friday, February 1st, 2008

The 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.

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Allergies

Wednesday, November 14th, 2007

Whether you are after discounted mattresses and the cheapest beds around, or simply seeking some extra information when it comes to buying a new bed, bedstar’s Knowledgebase is packed with useful information. Our medical articles will give you the lowdown on health problems associated with poor sleep.

Allergies, and more specifically, people who suffer from allergic rhinitis (commonly referred to as hay fever) can affect the quality of sleep in some people, depending on the severity of the condition.

Allergic Rhinitis generally occurs when people breathe in particles in the air, leading to inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages. These allergens may include dust mites, pollen, moulds, or be linked to your pets. People who are allergic to these particles will have a reaction, which can lead to nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose. This can affect your sleep, leading to night time disturbances and often resulting in daytime fatigue.

There are two specific types of allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergic rhinitis generally occurs outdoors during the spring and summer months, whilst perennial allergic rhinitis may occur all year round. The seasonal type is usually caused by airborne particles from trees or grass, whereas perennial is caused by indoor substances including pet hairs and dust mites in bedding, mattresses and carpet. Both types can contribute towards poor quality sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been linked to allergic rhinitis. OSA is characterised by difficulty in breathing and occurs when muscles in the throat relax during sleep and do not hold your airway open. OSA sufferers experience daytime sleepiness and a range of health problems including heart disease, stroke, and sexual dysfunction. The good news for sufferers is that reducing nasal congestion may lead to symptoms of snoring, daytime fatigue and OSA improving.

If you are a parent, it is wise to pay close attention to sleeping symptoms in your children if they suffer from allergic rhinitis. Snoring and other sleep problems have been linked to poor school performance, so if you notice any symptoms it’s a good idea to contact your child’s GP for more information.

For allergic rhinitis patients, it is even more important to get adequate sleep to ensure that your mental and physical performance does not suffer.

Treatment of Allergies
First of all, talk to your GP and discuss your symptoms and what triggers your allergies. Your doctor may also give you an allergy test and discuss improving your sleep, which has been shown to improve health and well-being in many cases. Many over the counter and prescription medicines are available, so your GP will advise on the best course of action.

There are also things you can do to help yourself. You can usually reduce some dust and bed mites in your bed by washing sheets in hot water once a week. Newer pillows are now also washable, and you can even by special covers for your mattress. Some are plastic based, whilst other are made from micro-weave which allow air to flow through.

Coping With Allergic Rhinitis
• Keep an eye on the weather reports and avoid staying outdoors for too long on days with high pollen counts (especially if you suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis)
• Try to keep your windows closed to avoid pollen and allergens entering the house
• If your house is damp, use a dehumidifier to help prevent mould building up
• Make sure you wash your pets regularly and avoid sleeping in the same room
• Newer vacuum cleaners are sometimes rated on their efficiency to remove allergens from the air. Ask your local electrical retailer for more information
• Make sure you vacuum regularly
• Have a shower before you go to bed. This will help to relax your nasal passages and wash pollen out of your hair and skin

Allowing time for sleep is one of the most important factors when tackling allergies. Learn more about the best way to get a good nights sleep with bedstar’s Knowledgebase – your guide to getting a better nights sleep.

When you’re done, why not search through our comprehensive range of discounted mattresses of the highest quality. If you’re not quite sure what you are looking for, check out our bed buyers guide.

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