Latest news with #MartinSeeley
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tourists told to never unpack luggage in their bedroom after holiday
Unpacking a suitcase on the bed is likely to be most people's first port of call when it comes to getting their house in order following a holiday but Brits have been warned against it British tourists have been issued a stern warning to avoid unpacking their luggage in their bedroom upon returning from a holiday, due to the potential of introducing unwanted guests. Many travellers are eager to restore order to their homes after a getaway and often consider emptying their suitcase on the bed as the most convenient method to sort their items. However, MattressNextDay has cautioned Brits against this common practice to prevent inadvertently importing stowaways. Mattress expert and CEO Martin Seeley emphasised the danger of bringing bed bugs into one's bed by unpacking in the bedroom. "Unpack on a hard floor and not in your bedroom," he advised. "When you get home, unpack your luggage in another location apart from your bedroom. Even better if it's on hard flooring, as you won't be able to spot bed bugs on a carpet. "Inspect your suitcase closely and use a flashlight or torch to look into the seams, folds and pockets of your suitcase." He further recommended that people should vacuum clean their suitcase before storing it away. The risk he highlighted was that bed bugs could reside within the luggage and subsequently transfer to the bed, curtains, or other plush furnishings. Tourists might unknowingly invite pests into their luggage if they're not careful upon arriving at their lodgings. Travel expert Martin warned: "Never put your suitcase on the hotel bed. "It is common that when you initially arrive at your hotel, you might put your suitcase straight onto the bed without checking for bugs and begin unpacking. "However, by doing this, you're putting your luggage and clothes right onto the place where bed bugs are commonly found and giving them a free ticket home." He advises holiday-goers to place their suitcases near the room's entrance or on the provided luggage rack. The NHS cautions that bedbugs can lurk in numerous hiding spots such as within clothing, behind framed pictures, and beneath peeling wallpaper. To spot these unwelcome visitors, there are several tell-tale signs to watch out for.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
A travel expert's five tried-and-tested hacks to beat jet lag
With half-term fast approaching, plenty of us will be preparing to jet off for some early summer sunshine. But as blissful as a holiday is, there's one element of travelling we don't relish: the jet lag. Jet lag is the extreme fatigue you experience while travelling across time zones, and a recent study has shown it can impact your sleep quality for at least a week. It's particularly bad after travelling eastward (on return to the UK, you effectively have to stay up for additional hours), which is bad news given the boom in tourism to eastern locations like Thailand and Japan. Let's be honest: with work, childcare and all the other everyday activities, we can't afford a week of feeling tired all the time. So when Martin Seeley, CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay, shared his five tried-and-tested tips for beating jet lag, you'd better believe we listened up. Here are his top hacks to enjoy your holiday and return home feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, wherever you travel. Start shifting your sleep schedule a few days before travel 'Jet lag is essentially your body clock being out of sync with the clock,' Seeley explains. 'But there are ways to start incrementally syncing your body with the time zone of where you're flying to.' 'A few days before your trip, move your bedtime and wake-up time by 30 to 60 minutes each day towards the time zone you're travelling to,' Seeley advises. 'For example, if you're flying east, try going to bed earlier.' 'This gradual adjustment gives your internal clock a head start, so you're not trying to make a big jump all at once, and therefore should experience less severe symptoms when you land.' Change your watch and phone to your destination's time as soon as you board the plane Most of us wait until we land to start fiddling with our watch to adjust the time (and phones only change when they regain network signal after airplane mode is switched off). However, Seeley says we should instead be switching to our new time zone as soon as we sit down for the flight. 'It might seem like a small thing,' he admits, 'but it's a powerful psychological cue that helps your brain start thinking in the new time zone. It's particularly useful if you're on a long-haul flight and trying to sleep, as you'll be aware whether you're doing so in sync with the correct time zone.' 'This early mental shift can make it easier to sleep and eat according to local time both while flying and as soon as you land, speeding up your adjustment.' Use temperature cues to manipulate your body clock 'Temperature plays a key role in signalling to your body when to sleep and when to wake,' Seeley explains, 'and you can therefore use it to trick your body into feeling more tired or lively.' 'Try taking a cool shower in the morning to help wake you up gently, and a warm shower about an hour before bed, as this helps encourage sleepiness.' 'Keeping your bedroom cool – around 16 to 18°C – also supports deeper, more restful sleep. These simple temperature cues can help your body adjust faster to a new time zone and reduce jet lag.' Keep your evenings calm and lights low We all know how disruptive the blue light emitted by screens is to our sleep schedule. But this is particularly the case when your body is already out of whack because of the change in time zone. 'It's even more important to dim the lights and avoid screens for at least an hour before bed,' Seeley explains, 'because blue light from phones and tablets tricks your brain into thinking it's still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep.' 'Instead, wind down with a book, some gentle stretching, or meditation. This helps your body produce melatonin naturally and signals it's time to rest, which is vital for resetting your internal clock.' Consider melatonin supplements, especially for eastward flights Over the past few years, melatonin supplements have surged in popularity as people rave about the sleep-boosting benefits. For Seeley, eastward travel is when they work most effectively, to help provide the sleep chemicals your body needs. 'If you're crossing multiple time zones, especially flying east, a small dose of melatonin about an hour before your new local bedtime can help nudge your body clock in the right direction,' Seeley advises. 'It's not a magic bullet, but many travellers find it useful. Just make sure to consult your doctor before trying supplements.' In the UK, melatonin is prescription-only, so you will need to speak to your GP if you want to try it.
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
3 surprising reasons you should never run your cooling fan all night
As temperatures soar this summer, it can often be uncomfortable to get a good night's sleep. If you don't have one of the best air conditioners, a cooling fan is a great, cost-effective solution for keeping you cool and comfortable. But unfortunately, opting for a cooling fan has its drawbacks. According to experts, you should avoid sleeping with your fan running all night, even in a heatwave. So before you go to bed, here are a few expert reasons you should never run your fan all night Summer can bring on seasonal allergies, and those who suffer from hay fever will know the perils of waking up to sneezing fits, congestion and other symptoms made worse by tiny pollen particles making their way into our homes. And if you sleep with your cooling fan on all night, this could well be the culprit. 'Fans don't just move air, they also circulate dust, pollen, and other allergens that have settled on your furniture and fan blades,' says Martin Seeley, CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay. 'If you suffer from allergies or asthma, this can make your symptoms much worse overnight, leading to sneezing, coughing, and congestion by morning.' Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. That's why it's so important to keep on top of your cleaning tips to reduce pollen in your home, like using one of the best vacuum cleaners. If you suffer badly from hay fever or dust allergies however, you might want to invest in one of the best air purifiers for cleaner air. Alternatively, you can find out what happened when I tried these 3 expert-approved tips to reduce hay fever symptoms. The Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max is ideal for large rooms, and the top performer in the brand's line. This model provides a high CADR in terms of dust, smoke and pollen, and the design offers plenty of settings, including an auto mode, a night mode, as well as three fan speeds. It's a brilliant option if you're trying to purify a large space, and it's seamless to operate as well. Have you ever woken up with a stiff neck? Your fan could be the cause of your sore muscles, especially if it's aimed directly at your body. 'Fans blowing directly on your body can cool muscles excessively, causing stiffness or cramps, particularly in your neck and shoulders,' warns Seeley. 'This can leave you waking up feeling achy and tense.' In addition, pointing your cool fan directly on your skin all night could cause eye and skin dryness as well as migraines. 'Constant airflow from a fan can dry out your skin, eyes, and nasal passages,' Seeley adds. 'This dryness can cause irritation, sore throats, and even trigger your body to produce excess mucus, making you feel more congested and uncomfortable.' If you must sleep with a fan on, be sure to oscillate it to distribute cool air around the room, rather than directly on your body. What's more, you could set a timer on your fan so that it doesn't run all night if necessary. This versatile smart fan offers multiple speed settings and wind types, powerful yet quiet airflow, and wide-ranging oscillation for comprehensive room coverage. With smart features like app control and voice commands, it adapts to various needs while maintaining energy efficiency. Its adjustable height and easy-clean design make it a practical choice for any room. Yes, there is a thing of being too cool at night, and this isn't always a good thing for your sleep quality. 'Your body naturally lowers its temperature to initiate sleep, but excessive cooling from a fan can interfere with this process,' says Seeley. 'This disruption can cause fragmented sleep and reduce the amount of deep, restorative rest you get.' 'Let's be clear: there's nothing wrong with using an electrical fan to cool down your room as long as you only use it for a short period of time. I'd, therefore, recommend that you turn your fan on 30 minutes before you plan on going to sleep, and then once it's time to go to bed, set it on a timer for a further 60 minutes. This will help you cool down enough to go to sleep, without exposing yourself to the risks of all-night airflow.' Another handy tip is to shower before bed to help you fall asleep fast during allergy season. This is because when you spend time outside, pollen in the air will settle on your skin and hair. So if you go to sleep without washing it off, those same allergens will transfer to your bed sheets and mattress. Plus, your curtains could be hiding allergens and even pests, so ensure you do a deep clean in your bedroom.
Forbes
26-04-2025
- Forbes
The Best European Cities For 'Sleep Tourism' According To A New Study
Image of Ghent, Belgium during twilight blue hour. The sleep tourism industry is projected to double by 2032 with travelers shifting focus from adrenaline-pumping adventures and sightseeing to rest and recovery. It doesn't look like frosty cocktails on the beach—but rather cities that actually allow travelers to let their guard down and truly rest, connect with nature, and focus on wellness. A new study from sleep expert Martin Seeley at MattressNextDay analyzed the most-visited cities in Europe, cross-referencing the ones that specifically focus on promoting good sleep hygiene practices and also boast opportunities to really disconnect from social media, the internet, and work for extended periods. The following are the best cities in Europe for travelers specifically looking for a properly restorative and restful trip abroad: Funchal bay Madeira Island Portugal Aerial view The capital city of the Madeira Islands earned top spot on the list with a composite score of 75.62. The Portuguese city had the second-lowest level of light pollution on the list as well as the highest number of walking trails per 100,000 people at 23.7. Funchal also boasted the fifth highest percentage of 4+ star hotels and the fourth lowest in terms of traffic congestion. Old city Bergen, aerial view, Norway Bergen, Norway, earned second place on the list with a composite score of 66.59. The city has the lowest traffic congestion levels across all cities and the seventh best in terms of light pollution levels. It boasts 4.7 health and wellness clubs per 100,000 residents and has a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere conducive to letting your guard down and truly relaxing. Skyline of Lausanne, Switzerland as seen from the Cathedral hill at sunset zoomed-in on the tower of St-Francois Church. Lake Leman (Lake Geneva) and the French Alps provide a beautiful background. The Swiss city of Lausanne scored 56.43 points, making it the third-best European city for sleep tourism. It's one of the most quiet cities in the Swiss countryside and as such is the city with the least amount of light pollution out of all the cities on the list. It's also worth noting that 25% of the hotels in the city offer soundproof rooms and blackout curtains. Sunrise over the Duomo square in Parma old town. Parma, Italy, earned fourth place with a composite score of 55.17. The city boasts the second-highest number of 4+ star hotels, the fifth-lowest congestion rates, and the sixth-lowest in terms of light pollution levels. A beautiful view of Ghent, Belgium. The Belgian city of Ghent earned fifth spot with a composite score of 54.58. The port city had the fourth-highest number of 4+ star hotels, earned fifth place for low light pollution and an overall safety score of 74.56.
BBC News
28-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Church of England bishop sad to retire after decade in Suffolk
The Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich said hanging up his clerical collar after dedicating nearly 50 years to the Church of England felt "really strange" and "quite sad".The Right Reverend Martin Seeley, who was ordained and made a deacon back in 1978, is retiring after spending 10 years serving as the area's 70-year-old was relieved of his duties during a ceremony at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral."Suffolk has been my life and love for 10 years and living in Suffolk and Ipswich has been a gift - I have absolutely loved it," he said, while speaking to BBC Suffolk. "But, when we finish, we can't stay where we are and so I have to move out of Suffolk."So, I am conscious of the friendships, relationships, and wonderful things I have been involved in... and it's quite hard."I am currently in the midst of packing and so I am coming across all these things that bring it all back." During the decade Bishop Seeley spent in the county, Donald Trump was elected US president on two occasions and the world also experienced the coronavirus was also at the helm for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, as well as her death, and also King Charles III's coronation in 2023."You forget how much has happened in those 10 years and it's been a very complex 10 years in many ways," he said."I started with Trump and I am ending with Trump."He recently said that "radical change" was required within the Church of England following a report which documented a cover up of child Seeley, who also sat in the House of Lords, officially said goodbye to the Church of England and the county at a special event held in Bury St concluded in symbolic fashion, with him removing his "clobber", handing back "the bishop's crook", and walking out of the cathedral, hand-in-hand with his family. He said it proved to be an emotional and "overwhelming" occasion."We were all in tears and I just had this overwhelming sense that the people of Suffolk – that family I had been caring for 10 years - had just given me back to my family," he said."I knew it would be hard but I don't think I had got a sense of the extraordinary things people were going to say and how powerful letting go and handing over would be."I think I am still recovering from it."Meetings to choose his successor will be held in March and April. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
