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Sleep Lab
How alcohol quietly disrupts your sleep: The nightcap myth
For many of us, a glass of wine or a dram of whisky is the go-to way to unwind after a long day. It takes ‘the edge off’, helps us relax—and, for some, feels like the key to drifting off easily. But the smooth slide into sleep alcohol causes might be setting you up...
Sleep tech: Better rest or more stress?
In an age of sleep optimisation, newly developed devices offer the promise of perfect sleep, but do they work? According to a global report, the sleep tracker industry was valued at over $30 billion in 2023, a figure forecasted to reach $75 billion by 2032. Oura...
OCD intrusive thoughts: More than just a bad dream
After a long day, many of us look forward to unwinding in bed, lights off, rolling over, and shutting off from the world. However, it’s not always easy for those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), with nighttime often being something they dread or even avoid....
Culture
The calm of Nordic nights: Sleeping in Helsinki
While some cities rush through the day and seize at night, collapsing to sleep, Helsinki moves differently. The rest is quiet, intentional, and deeply valued. It’s a cultural priority. The Finnish approach to rest is rooted in stillness, simplicity, and a steady...
Yes, the default iPhone alarm is the worst sound in the world
Have you ever been caught off guard by that hideous ‘Radar’ alarm? The default one used by Apple? I don’t even mean first thing in the morning. Sitting with my housemates, having lunch the other week, the piercing alarm sporadically went off. My body physically shook...
Sleeping in the spotlight: Ibiza’s glass hotel room
The Zero Suite is no ordinary hotel room. Located in the main entrance of Paradiso Hotel, Ibiza, the fully furnished and functioning room’s central location isn’t the only unique feature that sets it apart from the rest. What does? The room’s walls are entirely made...
Loved Ones
Nightlight
Tackling the summer slumber
We’ve all been there. Tossing and turning in bed, late at night with no sheet, sweating through hot June and July summer nights. Unfortunately, us Brits aren’t blessed by air con or cool houses most of the time, so these sweltering nights can really get to us. Doze...
The sleep menu
A growing body of research shows that what we eat can affect how well we sleep, and how we sleep can affect the menu we choose. We spoke to nutritionist and naturopath Oliver Sanchez to learn which foods support better sleep and which might keep us up at night. Deep...
The first night effect
Even in the comfiest of beds, the first night somewhere new often leaves us tossing and turning. But why is this, and what can we do to fix it? Whether you’re staying at a friend's house, checking into a hotel, or spending your first night in a new apartment, you're...
Life Stages
Sleeping next to my baby
For Amber Nicholson, co-sleeping with her baby gave her a sense of security and comfort she never could have imagined. “Having my son sleep away from me caused me more worry, wondering if he was ok instead of him right next to us. We all slept better together.” The...
How does menopause affect sleep?
Mood changes, memory difficulties, and body aches can all be factors affected by menopause. But sleep issues are another huge factor that many experience but did not anticipate. And it’s no surprise, as according to a survey conducted by Ipsos MORI, 79% of women...
Why won’t my child stop having nightmares?
Jane Teresa Anderson recalls having “lots and lots of nightmares” as a child. “My parents generally told me to just go back to sleep.” The dream therapist and analyst believes that there are other ways to respond when your child has a nightmare. Do children have more...
Specialist Sleepers
Why won’t my mind switch off: The struggles of sleeping with ADHD
For many people, sleep is a welcome escape at the end of the day, a chance to rest, reset, and recharge. But for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sleep often feels like a nightly battle rather than a natural rhythm. With not a single...
Training right includes rest: How sleep fuels growth
When it comes to training, eating right, and getting enough protein, the law is that anyone who is anyone labours the point as if there is no tomorrow. But there’s one crucial part of the muscle-building process that often gets overlooked: sleep. “Yeah, your...
Sleep and stage fright: Surviving drama school
Actor, Luca Rawlinson, a LAMDA Drama School student, shares his literal nightmare situations and tips on getting enough sleep while performing. Actor Luca Rawlinson London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is one of the UK's most prestigious drama schools....
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