National Bed Month 2023

National Bed Month takes place every March. This annual awareness event helps people think about the importance of a good, comfortable, supportive bed and how important sleep is to our overall wellbeing.

Daylight Saving Time

This weekend the clocks go forward for Daylight Savings Time (DST). Research from the Better Sleep Council (BSC), shows that more than a quarter (29%) of parents say it’s more difficult to get children to sleep after the time change. Of those parents surveyed, 94% say it takes two or more days for their children to get back into their regular sleep patterns and 31% say it takes six days or more.

Other findings from the research show:

• Mums (32%) are more likely to feel this way than dads (22%)
• Parents who use childcare (37%) are more likely to feel this way than parents who don’t use childcare (24%)
• Parents who are unemployed/stay-at-home parents are more likely to feel this way (36%) than parents who work full time (25%)
• Parents who feel their kids do not get enough sleep are also more likely to feel this way (37%) compared to parents who feel their kids do get enough sleep (25%)

The BSC suggests the following top tips to help kids get back into their regular sleep pattern after DST comes into effect:

• Go slow. In the week before DST, try to put your kids to bed 15 minutes early to prep them for the time change
• Create a ritual. Your kids likely already have a bedtime routine. Stick with it and consider adding an extra step or two like reading a storybook together or having them take a warm bath or shower to help relax before bed
• Keep it light. Avoid eating heavy meals at least two to three hours before bed. Eating too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep quality

Other useful advice:

Keeping the bedroom as dark as possible is important because it encourages production of melatonin – a hormone that helps to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and promotes restful sleep. It is produced in the evening to help us sleep and even low amounts of ambient light (such as that given off by radio alarm clocks, mobile phones and laptops) will suppress production of melatonin.

21st Century lifestyles mean ever-present technology. From smart phones to laptops, TVs, radios and games consoles, the amount of gadgetry making its way into British bedrooms has had a significant effect on sleeping habits. Make sure you and your children go ‘screen-free’ an hour before going to sleep to ensure your brain and eyes wind down for a better night’s rest.

And – most importantly – ensure your children, and you, have a good bed!

A Good Bed

Sleeping on an old and unsupportive bed will mean you won’t get a refreshing night’s sleep – whether you’re a child or an adult. Research from The Sleep Council shows that when replacing an uncomfortable bed, a new bed is associated with an increase of 42 minutes sleep time per night. A good bed will ensure you move less, wake less, aren’t disturbed by your partner as much and are less likely to wake up feeling tired or aching.

If you’re unsure whether your bed is past its best, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. If your mattress is over 10 years old, if the mattress is sagging or if your bed has become noisy – these are all indications that it’s time to get a new mattress and/or bed.

It’s also important to make sure you look for the National Bed Federation’s mark of approval to ensure you’ve got a bed that is safe, clean and an honest product from a reputable manufacturer.

And So To Bed

At And So To Bed in The Pantiles, they stock a wide range of mattresses, beds and accessories. Their sleep consultants make sure your mattress is 100% correctly designed for your personal body shape and size. This includes the option of a mattress variation on each side of the bed, personalising the comfort for you and your sleeping partner.

Book a consultation today to discuss your sleep easy options.