March will once again play host to National Bed Month, an initiative launched by The Sleep Council.
Little Lucy Willow will be joining this 31-day quest to improve the nation’s sleeping habits - not least those of our children - by offering advice on everything from evening routines and sleep-inducing decor, to our very own area of expertise...beds.
Let’s get started by asking you some very simple questions posed by The Sleep Council.
If you can answer ‘yes’ five or more times then we’re afraid you need to invest in a new bed!
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Is your mattress seven years old or more?
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Would it be embarrassing if neighbours saw your mattress without its covers?
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Does your bed make suspicious noises during the night?
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Was your most recent ‘best night’s sleep’ in a bed other than yours?
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Are you increasingly waking up aching and feeling unrefreshed?
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Do you and your partner roll towards each unintentionally in the middle of the night?
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Do you have enough space to sleep comfortably?
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Does your mattress feel lumpy during the night?
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Is the bed too small to give an undisturbed night’s sleep?
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Are the legs and castors worn out?
Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council says this simple bed MOT (mattress obsolescence test) should be done every year after the first three to five years and every six months after that to ensure you have the best sleeping environment possible.
She said: “Research shows buying a new bed can lead to a real improvement in sleep – up to an hour extra – and if you sleep better you feel much better.
“Remember to buy as big as you can, spend as much as you can afford.
“The right bed is extremely important to health and wellbeing because our sleeping environment will affect the quality of our sleep, which in turn has a big effect on how well we feel, both physically and psychologically. A bed with the correct support, comfort and space will ensure you wake less, move about less, are less disturbed by your partner and are less likely to wake up feeling tired or aching.”
And it isn’t just our own beds we need to scrutinise, as those of our children should be in tip top shape too.
Jason Thomas, Sales Director at Little Lucy Willow, says, “The growing spines of children really do need decent support during sleep. It is worth investing in a good mattress for your child to ensure they don’t suffer back problems later on in life.
“Foam is perhaps the cheapest option but is by no means the best, having the tendency to place the spine under stress for prolonged periods. This is especially true of memory foam which can shape the body over time. To avoid this, most sleep experts recommend something with a firm yet comfortable innerspring system.”
We hope we have given you plenty to think about should you or your child be struggling to sleep. A change of environment and a comfortable, supportive bed is the often the best place to start...
