'Genius' cooling blanket improves sleep for 96% of menopausal women
The menopause can bring a host of unwelcome side effects, but few are as disruptive as the sleep deprivation caused by night sweats and hot flashes. On average, women lose roughly two hours and 36 minutes of sleep each night due to these symptoms, causing a cumulative effect that quickly adds up.
To help women achieve more restful sleep, Silentnight has launched a new menopause-friendly cooling bedding collection specifically designed to combat overheating and discomfort during the night. In trials, 96% of women reported improved sleep using the range, while all experienced immediate cooling relief.
A standout from the collection is the Restore Cooling Lightweight Blanket (£44.99), currently available with the discount code 15RESTORE, which brings the price down to £38.24. The soft grey blanket is made from cooling cotton and breathable jersey cotton - materials chosen for their temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking properties.
The result is a blanket that feels refreshingly cool to the touch and gentle on the skin, perfect for warm nights and hormonal fluctuations alike. Easy to maintain, the blanket is machine washable and safe for the dryer, ensuring it stays fresh and clean for the foreseeable future.
Numerous other moisture-wicking alternatives are also available. For instance, Piglet in Bed offers linen sheets in a variety of colours that are not only timeless but also breathable, reports the Manchester Evening News.
A chuffed customer reviewing the Silentnight Restore blanket gushed: "I'm going through menopause, and the weather is so hot. This blanket is amazing. I don't keep waking up in a sweat. I've had the best sleep since I bought it. I would totally recommend this."
Another happy sleeper shared: "I've been struggling with getting hot at night, and this has been brilliant; I either use just this or a top sheet with it. I've now bought a second so that one can be in the wash. Highly recommended."
However, not all feedback is glowing. A less impressed buyer remarked: "For one, it's short, it won't keep you cool all night, I still have to take it off several times a night, I sleep with a cool air fan set at 16 degrees Celsius, and I am still very hot, I wake up tired."
In contrast, another user was full of praise: " This really works. It has two different sides. One is cooler with a silky texture, and the other is a cotton-type fabric, providing a slightly cosier feeling. Lightweight with minimal filling, it really helps me sleep during these muggy summer nights."
Yet another satisfied customer exclaimed: "My mum bought this for me as I'm going through the menopause and haven't had a good night's sleep in years. I used it for the first time last night and have to say it's genius, and I was so happy that I didn't want to get up.
"It's big enough that when the part covering you feels warmer, you can just pull across another bit and instantly feel cool again."
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Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
British dad suffered two symptoms before dying from 'half cooked hotel chicken'
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Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
The best fitted sheets, tested for a neat, hotel-style bed
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Linen, with its looser weave, is a good alternative in this instance. No matter your budget or the type of mattress that you have, from pocket sprung mattresses to memory foam mattresses, there is an option for you. How we test fitted sheets Firstly, I assessed how many sizes and colours each sheet came in, taking note of the fabric composition. I then judged how well it covered my mattress, both with and without a mattress topper. Security was important, as was the sheet's comfort and softness against my skin. I noted whether using the new fitted sheet impacted my body temperature (either positively or negatively) and if it was easy to wash, looking to see if this altered its appearance and feel. To ensure a fair test, I used the same duvet, pillows, pillowcases and duvet cover and slept on each of the sheets for at least a week. In total I tested 20 fitted sheets, but only the top 12 made this guide. 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I didn't notice any bunching or creasing over the course of a night or week, nor did I spot any loose threads or fading, either. The sheets are available in some striking and classic colours, so if you've been searching for some contrasting (or indeed complementary) colours for your bedroom, it's worth a look. One of my favourite things about shopping at Dusk – which is also a negative if not timed correctly – is that everything is almost always on sale. I have never paid the RRP, so it's worth waiting for a discount – so long as you don't need them urgently. Key specifications: Sizes: Single, double, king and super king (we tested double) Depths: Standard and deep Fabric: 200-thread count cotton Care instructions: Machine washable on 30C, tumble dry, iron on medium head while damp Available colours: 10 – including light grey, burnt orange and olive 2. Best Value Fitted Sheet: Fogarty Soft Touch Fitted Sheet Score: 8/10 We like: Available in a range of colours and depths, washes well, excellent value for money We don't like: Microfibre isn't as breathable as cotton, prone to creasing and gathering fluff These Dunelm sheets give you the most choice, by far. There's a fantastic range of 16 colours to choose from and a standout five depths. Which you opt for will impact the price slightly, but it means a more tailored fit. I opted for 28cm, which fitted my mattress and accompanying memory foam mattress topper nicely, without being too baggy. However, if your measurements are off by just a few centimetres, the sheet could bunch up; after a few nights, I noticed the sides of mine started to rise up. Even though it washed and dried well, it was prone to creasing, taking a few nights to smooth out (when I didn't iron or steam it). This looked a bit untidy, which isn't to my taste. Fluff from my socks, pyjamas and duvet cover clung to the microfibre fabric as well, which made it look more dishevelled than I'd like from freshly laundered sheets. Because polyester is used to make microfibre, it's not as breathable as the cotton sheets that I tested. While this wasn't too noticeable most nights, I felt a bit hot and sweaty on warm summer evenings. However, the fabric itself has a softness to it, feeling lovely on the skin as you move around. Key specifications: Sizes: Single, double, king and super king (I tested double) Depths: 25cm, 28cm, 32cm, 35cm and 40cm Fabric: 100% Polyester Microfibre Care instructions: Machine washable, tumble dry on a low heat setting Available colours: 16 – including teal, forest green, ochre and plum purple 3. Best Fitted Sheet for Stretch: Tempur-Fit Fitted Sheet £69 Buy now Price at Tempur A go-to brand if you're after a mattress for back pain, Tempur also makes a range of accompanying bedding and sheets. 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Best Egyptian Cotton Fitted Sheet: Soak & Sleep Luxury Egyptian Cotton Fitted Sheets Egyptian cotton is one of the most popular (and luxurious) materials for fitted sheets because of its softness and breathability, and Soak and Sleep's design impressed me. It has one of the highest thread counts tested at 600, and gave my bed that desirable hotel look and feel. The sheet felt crisp and pleasant against my skin and it helped wick away any excess sweat or moisture on particularly stuffy evenings. Either the standard or deep fit should work for most mattresses, but I was a little disappointed that it only comes in three neutral colourways. Given the overall quality and high thread count, I assumed that these fitted sheets would be a lot more expensive than they are, making them great value for money. The two-year guarantee only cements that further. Key specifications: 5. Best Soft Fitted Sheet: West Elm Tencel Fitted Sheet This is another soft option, made with a textile called Tencel derived from wood pulp (in this case eucalyptus,) and generally praised for its smoothness and slight sheen. It's increasingly popular for bedding as a more sustainable option; the eucalyptus grows quickly and requires less water than cotton to produce. This was one of the most affordable Tencel sheets I could find (especially as the Frost Grey option is currently on sale,) and it claims to be more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk and cooler than linen. It's made in a Fair Trade certified factory, and holds an Oeko-Tex accreditation, which means it is free from harmful chemicals. So far, so good. But what was it like to sleep with? It lived up to its billing and more. I was content using this sheet during some unseasonably warm weather; it felt lovely and cool as I moved around during the night. It didn't bunch up or loosen either, and it seemed well made and designed to last. Even though it's not marketed as a deep fitted sheet, it will suit mattresses up to 41cm high. This means it may be a bit baggy if you have a shallow mattress, though. Choose between three neutral hues, all will please anyone who turns to West Elm for their homeware and furniture. Key specifications: 6. Best Deep Fitted Sheet: The White Company Essentials Egyptian Cotton Deep Fitted Sheet If you have a deep mattress or use a mattress topper, sheets which accommodate this are a must. At 34cm tall, The White Company Deep Fitted Sheet is an excellent option for most set-ups. It instantly added a luxurious feel to my bed, and given its quality and feel, I was surprised by its overall value for money; all the sizes apart from the super king retail for below £30. It was relatively easy to put on my bed and gripped the corners securely. It also washed and dried well and I didn't notice any fading or significant creases after doing so either. This sheet is only available in white, no real surprise there, but it won't necessarily go with every duvet set or bedroom aesthetic. But, that small niggle aside, I was pleased to have a deep sheet that properly fitted. Key specifications: 7. Best Linen Fitted Sheet: Rise & Fall Relaxed & Refined Linen Fitted Sheet Linen traditionally gets softer and cosier with each wash, which is exactly what I experienced with Rise & Fall's fitted sheet. Initially it had a rougher texture, but after a wash, it was much gentler on my skin, even if it wasn't the softest of all the fitted sheets that I tried. It was particularly welcome in the warmer weather, as it kept me cool and comfortable the whole night, preventing sweatiness or overheating. It clings snugly to the corners of your mattress thanks to some excellent rubbery-feeling elastic. I hadn't seen this detail before, and the grip was notably superior (the same is used on its cotton fitted sheets). This is particularly handy given its depth, as there could be too much material for shallower mattresses. Look out for limited edition colourways – at the time of testing these was a light celery green and bruised peach hue – or choose from one of its staple shades, whether you want a crisp, classic white or a more on-trend olive. Key specifications: Sizes: Double, king and super king Depths: One – up to 45cm Fabric: 100% European flax Care instructions: Machine washable Available colours: Five classic colours and two limited edition 8. Best Cotton Fitted Sheet: Ikea Balsampoppel Fitted Sheet If you're on a budget, or shopping for your first home, a spare room or even an air bed, Ikea is a great place to start. I tested four of its fitted sheets, and was impressed with the overall quality. It's worth spending a few extra pounds for my highest scoring pick from the brand as it's made from 100 per cent organic cotton. That's about £6 more for a double than the next best cotton option. This sheet was softer and creased less than Ikea's other designs. It fitted the mattress snugly too, but at only 26cm deep, it may not work for all. I didn't notice any loose or fraying stitching and it washed and dried well. But while some Ikea bedding comes in brighter colours or patterns, this one just comes in white, which is a bit of a shame. Key specifications: Sizes: Single, double, king and super king, 80x200cm, 90x200cm (we tested double) Depths: One size – up to 26cm deep Fabric: 100% organic cotton Care instructions: Machine washable, tumble dry at normal temperature, iron at a maximum of 200°C Available colours: One – white 9. Best Sateen Fitted Sheet: Espa White 100% Egyptian Cotton Sateen Stripe Fitted Sheet Espa is known for its spa treatments and products, however it also makes some lovely bedding. This Egyptian cotton fitted sheet has an elevated striped finish and looks much more expensive than the price tag implies. Some of this is thanks to the sateen weave (which is where the cotton feels silky, as opposed to a percale weave which is tighter and crisper). This satin effect can often make bedding slippery, but I found the stripes prevented this entirely. During testing, the fitted sheet didn't move around at all, meaning I had no issues with bunching or loose corners. In fact, my bed looked crisp and smart throughout. Made according to Oeko-Tex certified standards (i.e. chemical free), these were some of the most comfortable sheets to sleep on. They were soft, had a slight cooling feel and they looked just as good after multiple rounds in the washing machine. Key specifications: 10. Best Cotton Percale Fitted Sheet: Emma 100% Cotton Percale Fitted Sheet A classic bed-in-a-box mattress brand, Emma also makes a range of soft fitted sheets. The one I tried is a cotton percale sheet, which is a type of closely woven cotton known for its crisp and cool feel. The matte texture felt smooth against my skin, and became softer and more comfortable night after night and wash after wash. There are four muted shades for you to choose from, including a pale blue and natural beige. Confusingly, even tough Emma sells single and super king mattresses, this fitted sheet is only available as a double or a king size. But if that's what you're looking for, it's another reliable buy. Key specifications: Sizes: Double and king (we tested double) Depths: One – 30cm Fabric: 200TC 100% cotton percale Care instructions: Machine washable at 40C, tumble dry at medium temperature, iron at a maximum of 150C Available colours: Four – white (only available in double,) dark grey, beige and blue 11. Best Cooling Fitted Sheet: Slumberdown Cool Summer Cooling Fitted Sheet Whether you suffer from hot flushes, often wake up in a sweat or struggle to stay cool in summer, bedding designed with dedicated cooling properties is worth considering. And with a notably hot UK summer, I tested this sheet during some of the stuffiest evenings of the year. I was pleasantly surprised at the difference it made. Yes, it retains some heat if you sleep in the same position without moving, but it was instantly cooling and refreshing when I swiped my legs and arms across an unused patch of sheet. The best way to describe how it felt, is to compare it to laundry that's not quite dry. So, when the temperatures started to dip, I was ready to swap in something cosier. Aesthetically, it looks somewhat clinical, reminding me more of a mattress protector than a classic sheet. And while the fabric on its sides is softer and slinkier, it can cause its stiffer top to bunch up with movement. Frustratingly, I had to pull the corners down again every couple of nights. But for a fleeting heatwave, this and a cooling blanket should make a massive difference. As it's summer, stock of this sheet fluctuates. At the time of writing, only the super king was available. You can sign up for stock alerts from Slumberdown, ready for when your size returns. Key specifications: Sizes: Single, double, king and super king Depths: One size – up to 38cm deep Fabric: Polyester Care instructions: Machine washable at 40C, tumble dry on cool Available colours: One 12. Best Budget Fitted Sheet: Silentnight Supersoft Fitted Sheet At just £9 for a single, Silentnight's Supersoft Fitted Sheets are another great budget-friendly option. They are available in five relatively neutral colours, including white. I put the fitted sheet on my bed without too much of a struggle and the tight elastic on the corners stopped it from moving around with me during the night. I also liked the feel of them. Silentnight classes it as microfibre, and there was a definite softness to it which was pleasant on my skin. Satisfyingly, the sheet became softer to the touch after each wash. However, as microfibre is technically a form of polyester, the sheet isn't the most breathable pick, perhaps making it a better buy for chillier winter weather than hot or humid nights. It's also probably worth a swerve for perpetually hot sleepers. Key specifications: Fitted sheets FAQs
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Yellow heat health alert issued as temperatures expected to reach 30C early next week
It means older and vulnerable people's health is at greater risk and could need to use more NHS services WEEKEND WARNING Yellow heat health alert issued as temperatures expected to reach 30C early next week PARTS of Britain face 30C next week, with health chiefs warning the weather could pose "serious" health risks to some. This has prompted health chiefs to issue a yellow heat health alert, from Monday as a period of warm weather is set to move in from next week. 1 It means older and vulnerable people's health is at greater risk and they could need to use more NHS services. Even a moderate rises in temperature can lead to health problems like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and deadly heatstroke, especially in older people. Hot weather can also worsen asthma symptoms for some people, including increased breathing difficulties, wheezing, and coughing. Last summer, around 1,311 people in England died from heat-related causes, according to official figures - up from 870 the year before. The health alert begins on Monday August 11, at 12pm and lasts until 6pm on Wednesday August 13. It covers Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, East of England, London, the South East and South West. Temperatures will begin to rise in the south from Sunday evening, as the remnants of Tropical Storm Dexter "draws warm air up from the southwest across the UK", the Met Office said. They are expected to exceed 30C in places across parts of central, southern and eastern England on Monday and Tuesday. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Steven Keates, said: 'We're confident that temperatures will increase markedly by the start of next week, reaching the low 30s Celsius in parts of England on Monday and perhaps the mid 30s in a few places on Tuesday. "However, the length of this warm spell is still uncertain, and it is possible that high temperatures could persist further into next week, particularly in the south.' 'Ex-Dexter sets the wheels in motion for an uptick in temperatures, but the weather patterns then maintaining any hot weather are rather more uncertain'.
