The sleep culture thread

[ColinJ]

Test #1 was a partial success!

I went up to the attic bedroom at around 03:30. I was struggling to get to sleep. The room was cold and I didn't really have quite enough bedding up there.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds and then started shivering. No use, I would have to move back down to my usual bed...

I just did, and discovered that it is now actually 09:30!

Most of my body feels like it got some good rest but I still have my usual stiff neck. I don't think that will improve until I start a consistent neck exercise regime.

That room really could do with better insulation!

Anyway, I will try again tonight with extra bedding.

 

[vickster]

Have you tried a new pillow if you're getting neck pain? I sleep much better since my physio recommended a latex pillow, much cheaper than a new mattress at around £80

 

[ColinJ]

Have you tried a new pillow if you're getting neck pain? I sleep much better since my physio recommended a latex pillow, much cheaper than a new mattress at around £80

It is stiffness rather than pain, though it is a pain in terms of being a nuisance!

It is a safety issue when I am out on my bike because it makes traffic checks over my shoulder tricky. I have a mirror and rear radar on the bike to help, but obviously over-shoulder checks are still needed.

A new pillow would probably help, but I think that exercises to increase range of movement will be the real answer.

I don't think that there are any serious structural problems with the neck. It has just gradually been seizing up over the past 20 years or so.

[Phone rings...] Ah, a lunchtime cafe invite - I had better spring into action!!

 

[Mo1959]

Most of my body feels like it got some good rest but I still have my usual stiff neck. I don't think that will improve until I start a consistent neck exercise regime.

This is one of my problems too. I have wasted hundreds of pounds over the years trying different pillows.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I sometimes find that I wake up and am awake for ages and ages
then wake up and look at the ensuit door
only to find that the door I am looking for was from a house I used to live in years ago

Often I have been "awake" and looking at a room which is a mixture of feature from previous houses I have lived in

I also often wake up and look at the clock and see e.g 2:15
toss and turn for ages - maybe 30 minutes - and look at the clock again and it is 8:10 or something

I think my sleep is OK for me at the moment

but I do sometimes fall asleep mid afternoon - but that might be due to low iron levels
The doc at the hospital has just said I need to keep taking the iron tables
which anotehr doc at the hospital told be to stop taking a year ago!!!! - and as a result were taken of my repeat prescriptions!!!


anyway
I have used memory foam matresses for some year and love them!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I closed my eyes for a few seconds and then started shivering.

Have you tried blankets or a duvet?

 

[ColinJ]

Have you tried blankets or a duvet?

I hadn't really taken into account that bedding suitable for a bedroom at 10-20 degrees C doesn't really work as well in a room at 2-5 degrees!

I have been thinking... Yes, the mattress definitely could be improved, but 90% of my discomfort comes from the stiff neck and I have that all of the time, even when I sleep elsewhere. I find neck exercises boring, but I need to do them.

 

[postman]

I have had rotten broken sleep this week,i think it's down to all the extra food i have been eating,very strange dreams.Chocolate ,Christmas cake, cheeses.No not dreaming about food.dreams like going back to work,going on trips and getting lost.All very strange.

 

[PaulSB]

@ColinJ if you have neck issues you should exercise/stretch it. This will, without doubt, solve the problem. I'd hazard a guess you'll hear your neck clicking when you start. It does work.

 

[november4]

Sharing a couple of consitent habits i have, which are cheap & easy to try

Camomile tea works for me as last drink of the day

I have been using low tack micropore tape on lips for about 12 years. Helps prevent mild sleep apnea type snoring that can ruin sleep, by promoting nose breathing.

I have several colleagues use actual sleep apnea machines, and only half of them are obese, it's worth investigating if you suspect that's an underlying problem, seems to be more available in the states

 

[fossyant]

My Samsung watch has only been telling me what I know. Been struggling with back pain mainly, difficult to get comfy in bed, so I usually manage it with a couple of co-codamol about an hour before bed. I've run out, so last couple of nights it's been paracetamol and ibuprofen before bed. Seems to help. Watch tells me I've slept better. It does tell me to rest when it's detected I've been riding to work !

 

[cyberknight]

Struggling to sleep ATM with everything going on with family health and selling the house so last few nights I have lain awake and get drop off so I'm surviving on 2-3 hours and coffee

 

[ColinJ]

I have been using low tack micropore tape on lips for about 12 years. Helps prevent mild sleep apnea type snoring that can ruin sleep, by promoting nose breathing.

I will suggest that to my nephew. He was up with my sister at the weekend and keeping us awake with his snoring!

 

[presta]

Can anyone suggest a king size mattress that they have personal experience of that costs less than £500 and is really comfortable?

Tip: if you're looking for a king size mattress and you want to be able to use fitted sheets, make sure it's a metric king size, not imperial, otherwise the 'fitted' sheets won't fit.

 

[ColinJ]

Tip: if you're looking for a king size mattress and you want to be able to use fitted sheets, make sure it's a metric king size, not imperial, otherwise the 'fitted' sheets won't fit.

The bed is metric king size and I do have a fitted sheet which doesn't fit properly! It is slightly too big so it comes loose during the night and creases up. I don't know if it is made to the wrong size or just not accurately made to the correct size. I will buy a couple more in the correct size.

Since my original posts I have discovered that I am much more comfortable after moving my sleeping position over by a few cms. I think that I must have been in a bad position relative to the mattress springs. An expensive mattress wouldn't have uncomfortable springs, but I can put up with the cheap mattress and playing 'dodge the springs'!