Forget the classic saying that if “you snooze; you lose”. March is National Bed Month so it’s time to get comfortable, turn off your alarm clock and snore to your heart’s content.
The month, organised by The Sleep Council, aims to raise awareness of the health benefits of a good night’s kip.
It has found that 30 per cent of us manage fewer than six hours sleep per night, despite health experts say most people need an average of eight hours sleep.
Despite the hustle and bustle of city life, Londoners get the best night’s sleep in the country, with 29 per cent saying that they sleep very well most nights, according to the survey.
However, 24 per cent of residents in the capital say they are often kept awake by noise in the city, and 15 per cent said artificial light causes problems.
“We all sleep, but many of us don’t do it very well. A good night’s rest is essential to a healthy lifestyle – protecting you physically and mentally as well as boosting your quality of living,” said Lisa Artis from The Sleep Council.
“Unfortunately, many of us struggle to fall asleep; have bad dreams, can’t wake up in the morning and then feel constantly tired. It is rather worrying that the majority of people don’t sleep very well.”
“This National Bed Month, we want to help people get a better night’s sleep by making them aware of some of the most basic ways to improve your Zzz’s.”
The Great British Bedtime Report found that almost a quarter of Londoners stay up after midnight, above the average of 19 percent for all Brits.
Young people aged 16-24 are among the countries’ best sleepers with 32 per cent saying they sleep very well, compared to just 21 per cent of 45-54 year olds.
Research from the Sleep Council shows that those who suffer sleep deprivation will often also experience other physical health problems such as obesity, higher blood pressure, and an increased chance of diabetes. The study found that those who struggle to sleep are also more likely to show signs of mental health issues such depression and anxiety.
Image from Annie Mole Flickr’s account
Newspaper Journalism Masters student at City University London. Graduated from Newcastle University in 2016. Former Sports Editor at The Courier.
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