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How can you get to sleep of your stressed or worried?

Struggling to sleep while stressed is common. But there are a number of things that you can do to help yourself to get a good night's sleep and wake up feeling fresh and ready to face the day ahead.  There are a number of little signs that we don't always initially associate with stress that could be keeping you awake at night. These include: a headache, muscle fatigue and a stiff neck.  There are many methods of relaxation around, some might work for you others may not. It's all about finding what works for you. Some often used methods include; a warm bath, soaking in a warm bath can help to ease the pains of the day and soothe your body into a tired and relaxed state. A warm drink, whether this is hot milk, green tea or hot chocolate, this can also help to make you sleepy. Exercise is known to help you get a good night's sleep, it can also help to relieve stress, so this can help you with both issues.  There are also a number of herbal remedies to try including Kalms, visit your local pharmacy or health store to find the best for you. If you are currently going through an elongated period of stress, getting yourself into a nighttime routine can help to relieve some of that stress as you wind down and get ready for bed. Start with switching all gadgets off nice and early, from TVs, to phones and games. Pick yourself up a good book, or some simple puzzle books, it'll keep the harsh blue lights of screens at bay, and take your mind away from everything else to focus on those things. Make sure to set yourself a time limit to ensure that you put things down and turn the lights out at an early enough time to get a good night's sleep.  There are a number of things to avoid if you are aiming for a good night's sleep. Some of these should also be avoided where possible if you are experiencing stress. Things to avoid in an evening include; caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, stressful activities and computer work.  Find the best method of relaxation for you, and you can ease yourself into a good night's sleep, stress-free.

Tips

How do you attach a headboard to a bed?

Most headboards come with wooden struts. Remove all packaging, on a clean surface lie the headboard face down, with your fingers find the screw holes in the back of the headboard, use a screwdriver to tear the fabric to reveal holes (there should be 4, 2 either side) now attach wooden struts to the back of the headboard using bolts provided. Once this is done it’s now time to put the headboard onto the bed. Once again you now need to find screw holes on your divan base these can sometimes be found on each end of the bed. There usually situated an inch from the top of the divan base. Tear the fabric to reveal holes. With your divan base should have come 2 bolts which the wooden struts sit on, attach these to the divan base. Grab the headboard and line up the wooden struts with the 2 bolts, once happy with height of the headboard tighten until the headboard can not be moved.

Tips

How often should you change your bed sheets?

Weekly or every other week, although allergy sufferers may need to change their sheets as often as every day. If you are sick or the sheets are soiled these should be changed immediately.

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What is the best mattress for allergy sufferers?

A hypoallergenic mattress is the best. It prevents dust mites from penetrating the surface and settling inside the mattress. The anti-bacterial cover provides a clean and healthy sleeping environment. Dial a Mattress offer a silver active mattress which has a special fabric with hypoallergenic properties.

Tips

How to fall asleep when you’re not tired?

A number of us find it hard to fall asleep at a reasonable time, we know that we need to be up the next morning, or even don't want to lose half the day sleeping in, we just can't fall asleep counting those sheep.  So how can we get ourselves to sleep even when we aren't that tired? There's a number of tricks that you can try, and while some may not work for you, finding the right combination can leave you feeling refreshed the next morning.  The biggest impact on falling to sleep in the modern day is technology. We are using technology right up to bedtime, from TVs to phones our eyes are open and glued to a blue screen. Setting a time to put down these gadgets and turn off any screens can help our brains slowly relieve pent up energy.  Pre-bedtime, after your screens are off, find something to use up the last of the day's brainpower. Pick up a book, or some simple puzzles, word searches are great, and use a dimmer light, preferably not LED or bright white.  Ensure that your room is at an optimum temperature. Keep your room between 60–67°F (15.6–19.4°C) to regulate your body temperature throughout the night. You can also adjust your bedding to suit the temperature outside. Colder nights need thicker duvets and more blankets, whereas summer nights might reduce you to a single sheet rather than a duvet.  Avoid looking at your clock while you are trying to fall to sleep. Noting the time when you open your eyes can have you calculating how much sleep you will get if you were to fall straight to sleep. This will have your brain working overtime.  We should all know this, but just in case, avoid naps. Napping during the day will mean that you are not as tired at night. Napping can have you fall into a cycle of that nap during the day, leading to less sleep at night and needing that nap again the next day.  Watching what you are eating/drinking and when can help you to find sleep easier than before. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol after a certain time can ensure that its levels are reduced by the time it comes to falling to sleep. Eating healthier overall can help your body feel comfortable and at ease, meaning that you are not kept awake by painful night time encounters brought on by processed foods. Standard advice it to eat your evening meal before 8pm at the latest, but ideally around 6pm.  Exercising your body during the day can help you to feel more tired when it comes to bedtime. Not only does exercise help you to be healthier, but it also releases feel-good endorphins and uses up your energy, allowing you to fall into a deeper sleep.  Ensuring that you have an appropriate and comfortable mattress will also help you to fall to sleep quicker than one you cannot get comfortable on. 

Tips

How many calories do you burn when your sleeping?

A person burns 0.92 calories for every kg in one hour of sleep. This will vary with your metabolic rate, so someone that is very active during the day, will also use up more energy when they are asleep.

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How often should you change your bed?

When the bed frame or divan base starts to show signs of weakness, rust or bowing, or when the mattress is changed. Some mattress manufacturers only guarantee their mattresses on their own bases, so it can make sense to change the base and mattress at the same time. If you are considering a new bed, please take a look at our bed frames range here at Dial-a-Mattress.

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Is there an age limit on bunk beds?

There is no set age for when children can sleep in a bunk bed, as a guide they need to be at least 7. There are normally markings on the bunk bed indicating how deep the mattresses should be, and this should be adhered to.

Tips

How Should I Arrange my Bedroom Furniture?

With each bedroom having a different configuration, with windows, doors and walls in different places, there is no one layout suits all. You don't need to be a professional organiser to make the most of your bedroom, using your space logically can increase your usable space. For the best night's sleep, we recommend that the head of your bed is away from both the radiator and the window where possible. Both the heat from the radiator and the breeze from a window can lead to disturbed sleep and potential headaches the following morning. We appreciate this isn't always possible, when you have no choice, take additional measures to reduce the impact, such as thick curtains or no heating during the night/early morning. If you are looking to have bedside cabinets, these make great spaces for your bedside lamp, and your drink for the night. Investing in bedside cabinets with drawers means you have an extra storage space rather than just a table. Wardrobes are a necessity in many bedrooms (for those of us who don't have the pleasure of space for a walk-in wardrobe). If you have an oddly shaped room, investing in made to measure built-in wardrobes can help you make the most of your room. If you have ample space or perfectly sized spaces, invest in the right wardrobe to fit the space. If you are adamant about having a TV in the bedroom, we often advise against this as it can affect your sleep. You will want this in a position that can be seen regardless of how you are lay in bed. This will allow you to be comfortable while watching without the need to strain your neck or awkwardly twist your posture. If you are starting from scratch in a room, measuring the space first can help you to not overcrowd the room. Use masking tape to mark out the shape of your furniture on the floor to ensure you can comfortably manoeuvre around the room. Avoid overcrowding your room where possible, this can help you to clear your mind at night, making for a clearer night's sleep. Head over to our blog for more bedroom arrangement ideas. 

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