The Sleep Council

As National Sleep In Day approaches (October 29), press reset on your routine if you’re struggling to sleep, The Sleep Council says. “As the day on which the clocks go back an hour for British winter time – and we all get an extra hour in bed – it’s the perfect time to readjust your […]

The Sleep Council is encouraging people to switch off their gadgets before bed for Sleeptember (September 2017). “With schools back and the world of work now in full swing following the summer holidays, it’s all-too-easy for people to use the hours before bed to catch up on emails and social media,” said Lisa Artis of […]

Getting kids back into a term time sleep routine doesn’t have to be a nightmare according to The Sleep Council. Late nights, long lie ins and days without structure are just some of the reasons the summer holidays play havoc with children’s sleeping patterns. But as the start of a new school year looms, parents […]

Improving sleep has just got easier with the launch of a brand new, expert-driven, self-help tool. With almost three-quarters of Brits sleeping less than seven hours a night and more than one in 10 (12%) sleeping for less than five hours*, The Sleep Council has created The 30 Day Better Sleep Plan to help people […]

Don’t let the heat affect your sleep this summer – that’s the advice from The Sleep Council. “While we Brits may not have the hottest summers on record, seasonal factors still have an impact on sleep,” said Lisa Artis at The Sleep Council. “Hot weather can be a nuisance when it comes to bedtime, and […]

Use the Easter break (16 April) to focus on a better night’s sleep – that’s the advice from The Sleep Council. “As the depths of winter seem like a distant memory and our evenings become lighter and longer, naturally, our sleeping patterns tend to change,” said Lisa Artis at The Sleep Council. “The clocks have […]

Don’t lose sleep over the clocks going forward say The Sleep Council, as our ‘lost hour’ approaches on 26 March 2017. “When British summertime begins and the clocks jump forward, many people find it hard to adjust to the time change because it can affect their body clocks, which in turn can affect our sleep,” […]

It’s National Bed Month (March 2017), so what better time to assess the quality of what we spend a third of our lives doing in bed – sleep! That’s the advice from the organisation aimed at helping people get a better night’s kip, The Sleep Council. “We all sleep, but many of us don’t do […]

Britons are increasingly turning to the bottle at bedtime – and less and less towards their partner. According to the results of its latest Great British Bedtime report (first conducted in 2013), leading advisory body, The Sleep Council, says alcohol in particular is increasingly being used as a ‘sleep remedy’. A quarter (25%) of those […]

Snuggle up to your loved one on Valentine’s Day – that’s the advice from The Sleep Council. “One in six couples regularly, if not always, sleep in separate beds*, but cosying up with your other half seems to aid good quality sleep**,” said Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council. Most recent results from the Sleep […]

Experts at The Sleep Council say as well as resolving to get fitter, slim down, try a new hobby or eat more healthily in the New Year, most of us need to take sleep more seriously. “Not enough sleep or too much sleep is linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity […]

Present buying, wine drinking and party going are the most common causes of a poor night’s sleep at Christmas, according to The Sleep Council. “Christmas preparations can play havoc with our sleeping routine – which can ultimately affect our physical and mental health,” said Lisa Artis, spokesperson for The Sleep Council. “Worrying about buying presents, […]

Don’t let stress disrupt your sleep! That’s the warning from The Sleep Council as National Stress Awareness Day approaches (2 November 2016). “Almost half of Britons say that stress or worry keeps them awake at night*,” said Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council. “A good night’s sleep can be affected by anything from money worries, […]

Head for bed!  That’s the message from The Sleep Council as the nights start to draw in and National Sleep In Day approaches on 30 October – the day the clocks go back and winter really arrives. “As the temperature starts to drop and the evenings become darker, summer really feels like a distant memory […]

As schools go back and regular routines resume after summer, The Sleep Council suggests September – or Sleeptember – is the time to focus on a better night’s sleep. Sleeptember is a month-long campaign dedicated to promoting the healthy benefits of a good night’s sleep.  Said Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council: “During the summer […]

As the wedding season gets into full swing, many UK brides and grooms face sleepless nights as the stress of the big day sets in. Despite being a joyous occasions, weddings are on the list for top most stressful life events. Said Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council: “Organising a wedding can take its toll […]

While most of us celebrate the warmth of the sun and the longer, brighter days, heat can cause havoc when it comes to catching the zzzs. “Hot weather can be a nuisance when it comes to bedtime,” says Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council. “Temperature has big impact on quality of sleep. Ideally bedrooms should […]

With exam time underway, The Sleep Council is encouraging pupils to snooze their way to success. As thousands sit down to take their GCSEs and A-Levels, sleep deprivation could cause many to switch off at this all important time. Research by The Sleep Council in 2015 found that as teens head into exam season they […]

With Easter quickly approaching on March 27 – the same day that the clocks go forward by an hour – The Sleep Council suggests this might be the ideal recovery period to this year’s ‘lost hour’. Said Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council: “Each year, when the clocks jump forward, and British summertime begins, many […]

Leap for joy as we celebrate an extra day on February 29! That’s the message from The Sleep Council who offers some timely tips on how to make the most of the ‘bonus 24 hours’. “We often hear people wish there were more hours in the day. This extra day in February is a great […]

With 31 days dedicated to highlighting improved sleep, National Bed Month in March is the ideal time to get it right between the sheets. And, obvious though it might be, the best place to start when working towards a better night’s sleep is your bed. Said Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council: “It’s about reassessing […]

Bargain mad Britons could be wrecking their chance of a good night’s sleep because they would rather scrimp on the price of a new mattress – and save on the time needed to try it out. According to the results of a major, European wide survey* into consumer bed buying habits, the UK tops the […]

As everyone gets ready for the 12 days of Christmas, The Sleep Council has its own numbers for slumber this festive season. A good night’s sleep means you feel great. And everyone needs to be in the land of nod so Santa can visit. The Sleep Council has been crunching the numbers for the best […]

An effective weapon against coughs and colds this winter is a great night’s sleep according to The Sleep Council, which has been looking at research into sleep and the immune system. “Experts agree that those who sleep better have a stronger immune reaction, suggesting that sleep can banish bugs as well as making you feel […]

As National Sleep In Day approaches (October 25, the day the clocks go back and we all get an extra hour in bed) The Sleep Council is encouraging British slumbertime with tips to help parents and young children cope with the change. “Parents everywhere despair when the clocks alter and wreak havoc on sleep routines,” […]

Students tempted to party hard as they start university life should not neglect their sleep. That’s according to The Sleep Council who are warning students about the dangers of lack of sleep as they start, or return, to university. “As students leave home and adjust to independent life and study, it is important they keep […]

Neglect sleep at your peril if you want to up your performance in sport, warns The Sleep Council. As millions reach for their trainers and pull on the lycra, inspired by Wimbledon, the Tour de France, the Ashes, the Women’s World Cup and a myriad of other sports this summer, sleep should be an important […]

Getting away from it all needn’t mean sleepless nights thanks to jet lag busting tips from The Sleep Council. And better sleep on holiday starts before leaving home, according to the organisation that aims to teach us all how to sleep better. Said Lisa Artis: “From jet lag to unfamiliar environments and irregular bedtimes, your […]

A peek beneath the sheets of the very best beds reveals a Union Jack. The Sleep Council has launched a month-long Buy British Beds campaign for June and with it, an easily recognised red, white and blue ticket to identify a UK-made bed. Said Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council: “There are many reasons for choosing […]

As Britain welcomes little Princess Charlotte, The Sleep Council offers some timely tips on ‘sleep survival’ for new mums all over the country. Even though the Duchess of Cambridge is likely to have more help to hand than most, broken nights and less-than-ideal levels of sleep tend to be a given when a newborn baby […]

Margaret Thatcher famously survived on four hours a night. But Number 10 hopefuls campaigning in this general election would be well advised to think about managing their sleep effectively to optimise vote winning, according to The Sleep Council. Just like everyone else, politicians and world leaders need their full quota of sleep a night – […]

Teenagers are being robbed of vital sleep as they cram in up to 14-plus hours of exam revision each week. With Easter about to mark the official start of the dreaded revision season for  2015 spring/summer exams, The Sleep Council has discovered that a good night’s sleep is the first thing to suffer. In the […]

The Sleep Council has for many a year designated March to be National Bed Month. As Spring approaches and we get into spring cleaning, ‘out with the old, in with the new’ mode, it’s an appropriate  time also to be thinking about giving grotty old mattresses their marching orders – and invest in a better […]

Savvy shoppers looking to bag a bargain bed in the January Sales should make sure the items on sale are a genuinely good bargain. That’s the message from The Sleep Council which is urging all bargain hunters to check out any special offers before they part with their hard earned cash. For not all great […]

As the countdown to Christmas begins, The Sleep Council has devised a sleep survival plan for getting through the food, drink and telly fuelled marathon that lies ahead. Of course, it’s a joyous time of eating, drinking and being merry but for many people the festive season can be one of the most stressful times […]

Go ahead and enjoy an extra hour in bed on National Sleep In Day this Sunday (October 26). Britain’s top sleep experts all agree it will do you good! With the clocks set to go back an hour this weekend, The Sleep Council asked leading experts exactly what an extra hour in bed can do […]

September could be the start of the New Stress Year. As schools re-start and work re-boots, The Sleep Council has found that ‘Stresstember’ not only marks the return to routine – but pressure levels too. Its latest research shows millions of people are caught in a vicious cycle of stress and sleepless nights with September […]

While high-end temperatures make a welcome debut for sun-starved Britons, steamy nights and baking bedrooms do little to lull us to sleep. “When summer comes to mind, we almost always focus on picnics, days in the garden and BBQs,” says Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council. “But hot weather can be a nuisance especially when […]

Chronic and long term health problems are seriously eroding the nation’s sleep. According to the most extensive research project ever undertaken by The Sleep Council,  nearly two thirds (63%) of all Briton’s suffer from one or more of the following health issues at some point in their lives: depression, epilepsy, stress, anxiety, eczema, back pain, […]

As leading scientists warn that lack of sleep is leading to serious health problems, The Sleep Council says it’s time to Take Sleep Seriously. The advice comes with the news today (Tuesday May 13) that leading researchers from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Manchester and Surrey universities believe society has become “supremely arrogant” in ignoring the importance […]

As the UK’s estimated 21 million asthma and allergy sufferers* brace themselves for the onslaught of the hayfever season, The Sleep Council offers some timely tips on beating the ‘miseries of May.’ Traditionally the middle of the month is when the pollen count rises and that, on top of the dreaded house dust mite (favourite […]

Buying a new bed? Then look for the new National Bed Federation’s (NBF) ‘big tick’ mark of approval to be sure you’re buying a safe, clean and honest product from a reputable manufacturer. That’s the advice from The Sleep Council as National Bed Month (March) gets underway. It comes in the wake of recent horror […]

[youtube]ujj3g-GuWvo[/youtube] Don’t buy supposedly ‘cheap’ mattresses from the back of a van. At worst they could be fire hazards and at best uncomfortable and dirty. That’s the warning from the National Bed Federation (NBF) today (Monday February 17) as it officially launches a new mark of approval designed to protect consumers from a scam that […]

As Britain falls prey to one of the worst winters on record, chilly temperatures and rising fuel costs are taking their toll on the nation’s sleep. According to one survey* around half (49%) the population suffers sleepless nights because of the cold. Another** says one in 10 pensioners is being forced to stay in bed […]

As the nation goes into Christmas Mode, The Sleep Council offers 12 tips for surviving the 12 sleeps of Christmas. Try, as much as possible, to keep regular hours – we know it can be hard when you’re staying up late for Santa! Going to bed and getting up at roughly the same time, all […]

We all love our bedrooms….. In fact over two thirds of us (68%) have said this is the room we spend most of our time in. As the bedroom – and the bed in particular – increasingly becomes the ‘hub of the home’, we’re also very clear about what we want from the Bedroom of […]

A new breed of ‘crack of dawn’ entrepreneurs is turning the working day on its head. Said to include the Obamas, Apple CEO Tim Cook and US Vogue editor Anna Wintour, the uber early risers leave their beds as early as 4.30am to get ahead of their day and make the most of the calm […]

Did you know that ‘culture vultures’ are far and away the most likely people to turn to meditation to help them get to sleep? Or that people working in Human Resources are the biggest group never to take sleep remedies? According to The Sleep Council’s Great British Bedtime Report* there’s a real connection between the […]

The less they earn, the less couples are likely to sleep together.

According to a major report into the nation’s sleeping habits, the clear dividing line is a household income of £35K. Below that, just over three quarters (77%) of couples say they sleep together every night they are at home, whereas at least 82% of those earning over that amount share the same bed when they can.

As the nation prepares for its mass return to work following the school holidays, The Sleep Council is releasing the results from its Great British Bedtime Report in time for the ‘Sleeptember’ season.

As Britain welcomes a new baby prince, The Sleep Council offers some timely tips on ‘sleep survival’ for new mums all over the country. Even though the Duchess of Cambridge is likely to have more help to hand than most, broken nights and less-than-ideal levels of sleep tend to be a given when a newborn […]

Almost half of Britons say that stress or worry keeps them awake at night. According to a major report published by The Sleep Council, the economic downturn has meant that many people are too anxious to sleep: almost half of those questioned said that stress or worry keeps them awake at night (47%) rising to […]

With schools study leave in full swing, students revising for their GCSE and A level exams will be feeling the pressure to succeed. As they battle through the most stressful month of the school year, The Sleep Council has some tips for surviving The Exam Weeks – with a good night’s sleep being one of […]

It’s official! Double beds are the new ‘singles’ among Britain’s solo sleepers. With the news that sales of single beds are down by nine per cent in the past four years while those of doubles are up, The Sleep Council says the Race for Space in bigger beds can only be good news for the […]

It’s been called ‘an unspoken public health crisis’ and as the problem of children and sleep comes under scrutiny on Channel 4’s new Bedtime Live show, The Sleep Council has joined the call for parents to teach their children how to get a good night’s sleep. Despite the fact that seven to 14-year-olds still need […]

The number of Britons getting just five to six hours sleep a night has risen dramatically in the past three years, with 40% not getting the NHS recommended six to nine hours. According to a major new report being published today (March 1) by The Sleep Council: • A third of the population (33%) now […]

If you regularly struggle to fall asleep, it might be better to try and restrict rather than extend the amount of time you spend in bed. According to the new Good-Night Guide from The Sleep Council, sleep restriction can help people who only manage limited sleep, to fall asleep faster and wake up fewer times. […]

It will be sun, sea and sleep for local couple, Tim Wickens and his partner, Janet Walker, who have won a dream holiday to Mauritius, thanks to The Sleep Council. Tim was the lucky winner of a national competition, run as an insert in the October issue of Good Housekeeping by The Sleep Council, as […]

If you’re interested in running a feature on National Bed Month (March) then download our Bed Month feature packhere for press releases, picture and logos.

An all-new expert guide to achieving a great night’s sleep has been published by The Sleep Council. The Good-Night Guide is available, free of charge, both on and offline and contains a host of useful new tips that even seasoned insomniacs will find helpful. From turning the bedroom into a perfect sleep environment to dealing […]

Over the years at The Sleep Council, we have amassed quite a library of facts and figures about sleep and beds and we continue to keep an eye out for new research or surveys which adds to our understanding. Below is just a taster of some key stats from that library – we’ve got lots […]

As the Santa Season gets underway, the Sleep Council has devised a sleep survival plan for getting through the food, drink and telly fuelled marathon that lies ahead. With Britain set to sail into virtual shutdown from Friday December 21 until Wednesday January 2, the nation’s sleep routine will be thrown into turmoil during the […]

Gadgetry is seriously damaging the nation’s sleep health. So says The Sleep Council following yet more evidence that technology is playing havoc with our bed times. According to online sources* 95% of people say they regularly browse the web, text or watch TV in the hour before bed. And mobile phones are proving particular culprits. […]

Got a sleep issue or want to know what makes the Perfect Sleep Environment then now’s your chance! For a limited period we have the option for you to ask a team of sleep nurses any question you want about sleep related matters. Just visit our micro site and ask away!

Watch our video to see sleep expert, Kathleen McGrath, talking about how to create the Perfect Sleep Environment. Don’t forget to visit the new website to see the step-by-step process and have the opportunity to ‘Ask the Expert’ any questions you may have!

The Sleep Council has a new logo for its annual event National Sleep In Day (this year Sunday 28 October) the day the clocks go back and we all get an extra hour in bed! For a hi-res version of the logo please click on the image to expand, then right-click on the image and […]

They go to bed later, eat later and prefer playing in to playing out. According to The Sleep Council, the seismic shift in children’s lifestyles since the Queen came to the throne in 1952 could be having a detrimental effect on their ability to achieve a good night’s sleep. It found that today’s seven to […]

Nod off with a ‘biryawni’ or hit snooze central with a banana! The right food can definitely help get you in the mood for sleep. According to The Sleep Council, certain foods are known to aid sleep – in exactly the same way that caffeine is known to disrupt it. As well as sleeping on […]

Would-be Olympians planning to tune in for a thrilling 17 days of top sporting action are being advised that ‘bigger beds give a better performance’ by The Sleep Council.

With one in four couples now thought to sleep in separate rooms, The Sleep Council has some much needed tips for sharing a bed.

As Jub’Olympic fever sets in, The Sleep Council adds beds to the patriotic bandwagon with a summer-long campaign designed to encourage people to Buy British. Helping retailers to flag up British made beds is a special version of The Sleep Council logo with a Union Jack face that can be used to instantly identify a […]

As Britons head towards the first Spring weekend of 2012, The Sleep Council is advising everyone not to lose any sleep over it! For while it may put a spring in our steps, this weekend is also the shortest one of the year. The clocks go forward by one hour on Sunday March 25 as […]

We spend a third of lives doing it. It’s vital to our health and wellbeing. And yet we don’t always pay enough attention to what we do it on! The answer of course is sleep – something that every single one of us does without giving too much thought to just how important a good […]

Bed Bugs as opposed to bed or dust mites are nasty little creatures that bite humans and suck their blood! In the days before white sheets they were actually known as wall lice as they actually lived in cracks and crevices in walls. They tend to come out every third night for a feast. They […]

1. Because a standard double bed (135cm/4ft 6in) gives each person just 2ft 3in of space – less than a baby in a cot. Now how squeezed is that? 2. Ergonomic studies show that couples sleep better in a bigger bed – and yet before trials only 15% said they would buy a larger than […]

The right bed is extremely important to our health and wellbeing because our sleeping environment will affect the quality of our sleep – which in turn has a big affect 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 […]

Lack of sleep among primary school children is having a devastating effect in schools with nine out of 10 teachers (92%) complaining that pupils are so tired they are unable to pay attention in class. More than a third (38%) said lack of sleep among youngsters is a daily problem for them. Nearly nine out […]

It’s one of the most searched for terms on the internet. And it’s a question that most people ask at some point in their lives. How To Sleep is, according to the latest Google zeitgeist list, the sixth most commonly asked ‘How To’ question. Compiled from the millions of searches made through Google each year, […]

Bed-mania hits Britain this month as bed retailers everywhere offer their biggest bargains of the year. And according to The Sleep Council, bargain hunters could bag themselves more than just a cut-price bed: they could get a whole new lease of life. “Research has proved* that buying a new bed can lead to a real […]

A cosy night spent watching telly in bed could be the answer to plummeting temperatures and soaring fuel bills. According to The Sleep Council, beds are the perfect retreat on cold winter nights: and with more and more homes sporting a bedroom TV, an increasing number of us are cutting central heating costs by tucking […]

The latest trend in bags and eye shadows for women has become a dire sign of the times. According to a Sleep Council survey, women are in the grip of a fatigue epidemic that is taking its toll on their looks. It found that one in 10 women feel so tired it affects their appearance […]

Nearly half of us are getting just six hours sleep or less a night. And an alarming four out of five people complain of disturbed or inadequate – or ‘toxic’ – sleep. The solution could be shockingly simple. According to the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), a bed may have deteriorated by as much as […]

A new survey reveals the secrets of ‘Sex and The Sicky’. And the fact people are so desperate for extra time in bed, they’d be prepared to pay for it.  The Sleep Council survey for National Sleep-In Day (October 31, the day the clocks go back) found Six out of 10  respondents plan to spend […]

It will make you happier, healthier and more intelligent. It could even add years to your life and will definitely ensure you look at your sparkling best. What’s more, this miracle cure-all costs no more than the price of a daily pro-biotic yoghurt and is readily available on the High Street! It is of course […]

A host of top celebs, politicians and media personalities are named in the first ever Sleep Council Zombie Awards. The ‘Oscars’ of the sleep underworld, the ‘Zombies’ are designed to illustrate the perils of a poor night’s sleep. The inaugural 2010 awards go to a star-studded cast of worn-out well-knowns and are being announced for […]

Britain’s top sleep experts are calling for the importance of a good night’s sleep to be taught in schools. Dr Chris Idzikowski of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, independent sleep consultant Dr Neil Stanley, Kathleen McGrath, sleep nurse and founder of Sleep Matters and Jessica Alexander of The Sleep Council believe teaching children the value of […]