Long-term back pain is unlikely to be cured by upgrading your mattress, and a doctor or physiotherapist should be your first port of call if pain is affecting your quality of life. But studies suggest that switching to the best mattress for your body type and sleeping position can genuinely help. I'm lucky to not experience chronic pain, but in years of testing mattresses, I've often suffered temporary backache after sleeping on a surface that doesn't suit me.
Series promoting healthy sleeping habits will be available in 250 million homes Irish-made animated series BeddyByes will be available in millions of homes worldwide, after the Dublin-based animation studio behind the show signed a deal with Disney. The Irish animation company JAM Media and distributor Thunderbird Distribution confirmed they have signed a deal with Disney Branded Television to bring the series, which supports healthy sleeping habits in preschoolers, to audiences worldwide.
Experts claim most healthy adults need seven to nine hours per night - but this is hardly exact, and it also depends on age and individual needs. Thankfully, a free online tool now tells if you're getting enough slumber. The sleep calculator, from non-profit organisation the Sleep Foundation, works out your optimum bedtime based on your details. It asks just two questions to ensure a decent amount of shut-eye each time - and it doesn't want your name or email address.
Melissa Milanak, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, noted that while pets can be comforting, many pet owners report sleep disturbances caused by their animals, revealing a complex relationship between pet companionship and sleep quality.