Archive for the ‘Sleeping by Age’ Category

Sleep in Adults

Thursday, September 6th, 2007

When you browse for cheap beds and discount mattresses at Bedstar.co.uk, have you stopped to consider what might be keeping you from getting a night of quality sleep?

Adults can experience any number of sleep problems which can make it difficult to fall asleep, cause you to wake up in the middle of the night or lead to fatigue during the day.

Sleep needs vary from person to person but, in general, most healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Some individuals are able to function without sleepiness or drowsiness after as little as 6 hours of sleep although such a lifestyle is certainly not suitable for everyone and some people struggle to perform at their peak unless they have slept for up to 10 hours. Contrary to common myth, the need for sleep doesn’t decline with age and problems in getting to sleep often increase.

There are lots of physical reasons why you could be suffering from a lack of sleep, such as sleep apnoea or restless leg syndrome, but there are also a number of mental factors which are often underestimated.

One of the biggest causes of sleep problems in adults is stress and it is no coincidence that people suffer from sleep deprivation whilst they are going through a difficult time.

Problems such as job-related pressures, family or marriage problems or a serious illness or death in the family can all, understandably, lead to sleepless nights as can personal debt worries, although that’s a problem that could be eased with Bedstar’s offering of cheap beds and mattresses.

The key to a good night’s sleep is to get into a routine of going to bed at the same time, that you steer clear of alcohol and caffeine before bed and avoid napping during the day. Making your sleeping environment as comfortable as possible is also a major consideration and the range of cheap bedroom furniture from Bedstar should help you build your very own sleep sanctuary!

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Sleep and the Elderly

Thursday, September 6th, 2007

Whilst you have been browsing the range of bargain beds from Bedstar, have you stopped to think about how good the quality of your sleep actually is?

As we get older, our sleep patterns change. Middle-aged and elderly people tend to spend less time in deeper sleep than young people. By age 60 or 70, many adults experience a decrease in the proportion of time spent in delta sleep. This is particularly true for elderly men.

The majority of older adults tend to have little trouble in sleeping through the night, but there is a connection between those people with health problems and their ability to get a good night’s sleep.

It’s not uncommon for older people to have trouble getting to sleep, or waking up in the middle of the night and the health problems that we associate with getting older may be the problem.

One of the biggest causes of sleep disruption is snoring, with around 30 million people in the UK affected by sleep disruption related to snoring, which could be related to high blood pressure but there are also many other lesser-known problems that could be hampering your ability to sleep.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a condition that increases with age with around 10% of people in Europe and North America thought to suffer from the condition which causes neurological movement disorders, characterised by irresistible urges to move the limbs. Other muscle aches and pains, as well as other conditions such as arthritis could also be linked to RLS and whilst there is no known cure, your choice of bed could at least help to reduce these problems.

The Bedstar range of adjustable beds or orthopaedic mattresses may help overcome some of the sleep problems that are associated with age and reduce the effects of conditions such as RLS or sleep apnoea.

Bedstar offers an easy and cost effective way to buy beds online and by ordering your new cheap bed online, you could go a considerable way to improving your quality of sleep.

Posted in Adjustable Beds, Sleeping by Age | 1 Comment »

Sleep in Teenagers

Thursday, September 6th, 2007

Studies have shown that most teenagers don’t get enough sleep, with only 15% of teenagers spending the recommended 8½ - 9¼ hours in bed on a school night.

One of the biggest problems as to why teenagers tend not to get a good night’s sleep is due to their irregular sleep patterns. Quite often, teenagers stay awake until late and they usually sleep for most of the morning and sometimes well into the afternoon on weekends. This makes it difficult for your body to get used to a regular sleep pattern.

You may notice that your teenager has trouble getting up for school in the morning. It’s not a reluctance to go to school and it’s not because they are enjoying lying on their mattress, but it’s a natural problem.

As children get older, their sleep patterns get later and later and so by the time they are teenagers, they find it very difficult to get in to bed before 11:00pm. If they then set their alarm clock for 7:00am the next morning, then they are having 30 minutes less sleep than the recommended minimum.

A lack of sleep can lead to a number of problems for teenagers. Their ability to learn and concentrate at school or college is severely hampered and it also has a negative effect on a teenager’s ability to remember important information.

Sleep deprivation can also lead an adolescent more prone to spots and zits as well as other skin problems and there is also a link between tiredness and aggression in young people.

With teenagers having such difficulty getting a good night’s sleep, it is important to make the bedroom as comfortable as possible. Is your teenager sleeping in the right bed? Are sleeping on a comfortable mattress? Bedstar have a range of cheap beds, mattresses bedroom furniture, all ready to purchase online to make sure that you give yourself the best possible chance of waking up fresh every morning.

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Sleep and Infants

Thursday, September 6th, 2007

Studies into sleeping patterns of children have highlighted the importance of sleep for children, particularly in newborns and the direct impact that sleep have on their mental and physical development. By the age of two years, a child will have spent more time during their life asleep than awake whilst on average, around 40% of a person’s childhood is spent asleep.

With sleep being such an important factor in a child’s development, it is important to create an environment in which your child can get a good night’s sleep.

Bedstar provide a range of kids beds which are ideal in helping your child get a good night sleep. The right children’s bed is an integral part of creating an environment that will encourage your child to sleep with the child’s bed being the centrepiece to any kid’s bedroom.

TV’s and DVD players in a bedroom can have a negative effect on a child’s sleep and it is important to try and make the bedroom as relaxing as possible. Keep the room at a stable temperature all night long and try and block out as much outside light as possible. Even something like attaching mobiles to children’s beds at night could keep them awake.

When it’s time to put your child in bed, get into a bedtime routine.

A light snack, a bath and brushing their teeth all useful steps for getting your child ready for bed and sitting next to your kid’s beds and reading a book or story to your child can be a great way to help them relax and naturally fall to sleep.

Once your child is asleep, try to stay away from their bed as much as you can. We know that it’s natural to rush straight to your kid’s bed as soon as they start to cry or as soon as they wake up, but this isn’t always the right action to take. Unless it is a serious issue such as sickness of if they have fallen, leaving the child to fall back to sleep can help them develop a natural sleep pattern and give them the message that they should go to sleep on their own.

Keeping the area around your child’s bed simple and relaxing whilst introducing a simple and effective routine can really make the difference in ensuring that your child gets a good night’s sleep.

Posted in Kids Beds, Sleeping by Age | No Comments »

Sleep and Children

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007

Getting enough sleep is vital for a child’s health, growth and development. Proper rest helps a child develop memory, performance and alertness and children who sleep well are less likely to have behavioural problems or suffer with moods. Parents play a vital role in making sure their children get enough sleep and promoting good resting habits that will stay with them as they grow older. Here are some helpful hints and tips from the bedstar team:

Get into a Routine

Children will thrive on a routine sleeping ‘plan’, so try to follow a nightly routine. This will help your child relax, fall asleep and stay asleep until the morning.

A typical routine may involve:
• Finish meal a good 2-3 hours before bedtime
• Have a hot bath
• Put on bed clothes and brush teeth
• Read a short story to further relax your child
• Make sure the room is quiet, dark, cool and comfortable
• Put your child to bed
• Say goodnight and leave quietly

Keep Bedtime Consistent

Make sure you put your child to bed at the same time every night. Avoid things that will stimulate your child, such as videos, television, computer games or DVDs right before they go to bed. Recent studies have shown that television prior to bedtime can lead to difficulties falling and staying asleep. Keep the sleeping environment the same all night (e.g. light, room temperature).

Encourage Your Child to Fall Asleep by Themselves

Your child should be able to fall asleep without you being there. You should also avoid letting your children sleep in your bed, as recent studies have shown that you may put your child at risk of injury, particularly if they are very young or slight. A child who can fall asleep by his/herself will find it easier to fall back to sleep should they wake up in the night (meaning you won’t get disturbed – hooray!)#

Once Asleep, Stay Asleep

If your child wakes during the night and you constantly have to go into their room to help them get back to sleep, you are strengthening their link between your presence and good sleep. This is especially true of babies who are held when they wake in the middle of the night – they come to expect it. Unless your child has been ill, injured or clearly needs assistance, it is important that you stress to your child that they are expected to fall asleep by themselves.

You’ll find a whole host of great value kids beds online in our catalogue. Why not take a look and pick up a bargain.

Posted in Kids Beds, Sleeping by Age | 1 Comment »