Latest news with #sleephygiene
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
After testing 9 methods to fall asleep fast I've found 3 that actually work
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. As the Sleep Features Editor for Tom's Guide, my job is to research, test and learn about new ways to improve our sleep. And as you can imagine, I'm not complaining. In fact, my sleep has never been better because I've found what works for me. But everyone is different. What sends some people snoozing keeps me awake and alert and vice versa. So the only way to figure out how to fall asleep fast is trial and error. (Obviously good sleep hygiene helps, too, as does choosing the best mattress for your sleep needs.) To help you on your way, I've compiled a list of nine fall asleep fast methods I've tried and picked out the three that work best for me. I'll also be choosing three that I warn against even trying, to save you some time on your quest for better sleep. Let's dive in. Sealy Posturepedic® Elite Hybrid: What's the point of getting a new mattress if it's going to almost immediately lose its shape and stop being as effective? All of the technology in Sealy Posturepedic® is rigorously tested to exceed industry standards. The DuraFlex coil edge helps your mattress keep its shape and deliver years of quality Deal The 9 methods I've tried to fall asleep quickly Nine methods might sound excessive, but trust me, if I'm lying awake for over 30 minutes, I need a solution. Normal sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) sits between 10 and 20 minutes depending on the person. If you're way above that or way below it, it might be cause for concern, but a little deviation is normal night-to-night. These are the methods I've used to try to cut my sleep latency down to just 10 minutes: Cognitive shuffling: This refers to purposely scrambling your thoughts so your brain eventually switches off, letting you fall asleep. It's a visualization method that involves thinking of random, unrelated objects and imagining them. ASMR: Standing for autonomous sensory meridian response, ASMR refers to the tingling sensation you get when listening to certain 'satisfying' sounds. Some claim this reduces anxiety and stress and helps them sleep. Mouth tape: Taping your mouth during sleep helps you only breathe through your nose during the night. This is said to help people fall asleep fast and stay asleep throughout the night. Blocking out stimulus: Ambient light and sound can be a major distraction when trying to fall asleep. A blackout sleep mask and noise-reducing earplugs can create a quiet, calm and peaceful environment, helping you fall asleep fast. Breathing exercises: Breathing in a certain way can help stimulate the vagus nerve, which then helps to stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest and digest instead of fight or flight). This helps relax the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep. Progressive muscle relaxation: This method focuses on releasing tension from the muscles, aiding in relaxation and stress relief. By working through each muscle from your feet up to your head, tensing it and then relaxing it while slow breathing, the mind and body can relax. Cricket feet: Repetitive movement can help us relax, and this method involved rubbing your feet together (like a cricket) to relieve stress and tension in bed and fall asleep fast. Egyptian method: A summer-specific sleep hack, the Egyptian method involves sleeping under a damp towel to help you cool off on hot nights and lower the body temperature enough to fall asleep. Warm bath: Moving from a warm bath or shower to a cooler bedroom leads to a natural drop in core body temperature, which is a key signal to our bodies that it's time for sleep. The 3 fall asleep quick hacks that actually work for me As you probably figured out while reading about those methods, some did not work for me. But these are the three I swear by and use most nights... 1. Cognitive shuffling I was a little skeptical when I tried cognitive shuffling for the first time. How effective could imagining random objects be? Turns out, very. And that's because the method was developed by scientist, Dr. Luc P. Beaudoin, based on the way our brain works as we naturally fall asleep. We all know the feeling right before we drop off where our thoughts stop making sense, and cognitive shuffling aims to replicate that feeling. By thinking of random objects and visualizing them, then quickly moving on to another that's unrelated, you'll scramble your thoughts. Eventually, the area of your brain that tries to determine meaning and rationality from your thoughts will 'switch off', which is a signifier that it's safe and appropriate to fall asleep. When I gave this method a go, I was asleep within 10 minutes. Initially, I found it a little difficult to think of completely unrelated objects so quickly, so I decided to work through the alphabet, thinking of as many objects beginning with 'A' as possible, before moving on to 'B' and so forth. It's easy, simple and requires no advanced tech. Why not try it tonight? 2. Blocking out noise and light I'm well-versed in earplugs for sleep. Living in a city center and sleeping next to a snoring husband means without them, I can say goodbye to uninterrupted sleep. However, I hadn't tried the combination of a blackout sleep mask and earplugs. When I first tried both, I initially felt a little vulnerable. With my husband next to me, I was fine. But I'd be hesitant to try this method if was home alone, simply because of how unaware you are of your surroundings. The sleep mask I used was a padded, silk mask that wrapped all around my head, covering my ears too. Not one bit of light seeped through and I was extremely comfortable. The complete sensory deprivation was a bizarre sensation that I had to become used to, but I quickly relaxed into it and fell asleep fast. Now, whenever I'm struggling to sleep, my sleep mask and earplugs are the first thing I reach for. Not only do they help me drift off quickly, they also help me stay asleep throughout the night. 3. Taking a warm bath before bed A nighttime routine might not sound like fun, but it can actually be very beneficial for your sleep. Maintaining positive habits before bed and indicating to your mind and body that it's time to wind down can make falling asleep fast, easier. I love my wind-down routine, and a key element of it is a warm, relaxing bath almost every night. The warm water relaxes my body and releases any tension from my muscles, and after adding a few drops of lavender essential oil, the scented steam helps my mind relax, too. But there's also a more scientific reason why this method is so effective. In the evening, our core body temperature drops which help us fall asleep fast and stay asleep throughout the night. And while a warm bath might sound like the opposite thing you should be doing to drop your body temperature, it's actually very effective. The process of moving from a warm bathroom to a cooler bedroom leads to the drop in temperature. This, combined with my relaxed state of mind, means I drop off to sleep almost instantly after crawling under the covers. The fall asleep fast hacks I don't recommend I mentioned earlier that some of the hacks I tried didn't work. These are three I'd suggest you avoid if you're serious about getting good sleep. 1. Mouth taping What I first thought was just a silly trend, I now think mouth taping is a dangerous one worth avoiding altogether. Mouth tape companies are advertising this 'method' as an easy way to improve both your sleep and your health. The adhesive tape simply sticks over your mouth making it impossible to open and breathe through your mouth. When I tried it, I immediately felt my panic and stress levels increase. If you have any kind of congestion you'll quite quickly realize you can't breathe properly. That's just one of the dangers. Another major danger is the risk of vomiting. As you can imagine, this was not conducive to relaxing and falling asleep quickly. My advice? Don't bother trying it. 2. The Egyptian method During a recent heatwave, I was desperate for a method that would help me cool down at night and fall asleep. That's when I stumbled across the Egyptian sleep method. It seemed simple enough, requiring only a damp towel. After soaking my towel in cold water, I wrung it out and left it to dry a little until it was just damp. I then removed my usual lightweight blanket and used the damp towel instead. It felt cold and slimy against my skin, making me squirm. I eventually got used to the feeling but every time I moved I felt this slimy, wet texture that woke me up again. Aside from this, introducing anything wet to your bed is generally not a good idea. Materials like memory foam and latex can absorb water, damaging it and occasionally leading to mattress mold growth. While I did cool down, it wasn't worth the hassle and I certainly didn't fall asleep fast! If you're struggling in the heat, take a look at our tips on how to sleep better in summer. 3. Cricket feet Now there's nothing inherently harmful or dangerous about this sleep method, but I'd advise you to give it a miss anyway. Most of us rub our feet together or wriggle around in bed before we fall asleep, it's a natural response to getting comfortable. And this 'method' adds nothing more. If anything, actively thinking about rubbing my feet together was too stimulating for me to fall asleep quickly. There's also very little science backing up this method. I'd generally advise to skip it and try a hack that's more likely to work.
WIRED
07-08-2025
- WIRED
Our Sleep Expert Will Help You Find the Best Colored Noise for Slumber
You may be familiar with white noise, but what about pink noise, or brown noise? WIRED's sleep expert walks you through the rainbow of benefits for bedtime. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Learn more. As a certified sleep science coach and mattress tester of five years, I'm no stranger to soothing noises being part of many people's sleep hygiene arsenal. For some, the perfect soundtrack might be white noise. For others, it could be a different color entirely—sometimes streamed on their phone, but often courtesy of a sound machine. If your sound machine or app offers a variety of different colored sounds, how might you know what they mean, or which might be best for your brain? How Noise Is 'Color-Coded' Let's get our Sheldon Cooper on for a minute and establish why certain noises are categorized into colors. Sound travels in waves, like light. The frequency of a sound wave, measured in hertz (Hz), is the number of waves that pass a certain point in one second. High-pitched sounds have high frequency (and short wavelengths), low-pitched sounds have low frequency (and longer wavelengths). The human ear can distinguish sounds from 20 Hz on the low end to 20,000 Hz on the high end. As for the colors? In the portion of the light spectrum that we can see, different frequencies are perceived by our eyes as different colors. By analogy, the 'color' of a sound is a shorthand way of describing the quality of that sound, which is determined by a particular blend of sound wave frequencies. (People with a rare condition called synesthesia literally do see colors from certain sounds, but that's a different topic.) Most people are familiar with 'white noise' machines—in fact they're pretty synonymous with sound machines. Just as white light is composed of all the visible colors, white noise incorporates all audible frequencies of sound at once. The result is similar to the ambient noise that is the sonic backdrop to your everyday life. Some liken it to TV static or a fan running—which happens to be the key mechanism in one of my favorite sound machines, the Snooz (see below). Circling back to the 20,000 kilohertz that humans can hear—white noise is all of that, all at once. If you live in a louder environment, like a city or with roommates, white noise may be a helpful tool for you. It won't 'cancel out' sounds like horns honking, the way noise-canceling headphones do, but it can 'mask' disruptive sounds. Essentially, the combined frequencies dull down the loud noises so that your brain doesn't pick up on them as much. Pink Noise Some argue that pink noise is the best sound for sleeping. Like white noise, it contains all the frequencies we can hear, but it emphasizes the lower frequencies instead of putting all frequencies at the same loudness, as white noise does. This results in what some describe as a 'flat noise' that is perceptibly softer. It's often likened to rainfall or ocean waves Some studies have shown that it promotes deeper sleep and also calms brain activity so you fall asleep faster. Brown Noise Brown noise is 'all about that bass.' Like pink noise, it boosts the amplitude (the oomph) of lower frequencies, so they're more prominent—but even more so. The result is a deep rumbling sound. If you like to fall asleep listening to thunderstorms or like those intervals of a loud boom , so to speak, brown noise may be the color for you. Green Noise If you feel like 'going green' with green noise, you're not too far off from what you'd experience outdoors. Instead of putting all frequencies on play at once like white and pink noise, green noise puts an emphasis on 500 Hz, which is considered mid-frequency. If you're in the mood to chase waterfalls in your dreams (hopefully you get the reference), green noise is most like the sound of water and wind. So listen to waterfalls, ocean waves, and wind rustling through the trees to your heart's content. Blue Noise All noise types up until this point stay within the low- to mid-frequency range. But blue noise really amps up the dial and prioritizes high frequencies. Candidly, it may be more hit or miss depending on the sleeper. Some may find the sound (which some describe as steam whistling) better for working or staying alert. Violet Noise Violet noise ratchets up the high (treble) frequencies even more than blue noise. Basically it's the opposite of brown noise. Everyone's different, but I can't imagine being lulled to sleep by this. Pump Up the Beat The use of sound to promote sleep and all the ways it can affect your brain and health are still being researched and explored. However, you can experiment with these different noise types whenever you like and see which you respond to (or rather, conk out to) the most.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sleep Doctors Have Surprisingly Good News If You Like To Fall Asleep Watching TV
Let's just say that many sleep hygiene tips are far from tempting. For example, there's waking up at the same time every day (no thanks, I like to sleep in on the weekends!). There's also avoiding caffeine close to bedtime (what about my emotional-support Diet Coke?). The good news is, another key example has recently been debunked (to a certain extent). It's watching — or even more so, listening — to a TV show before bed. 'Many people ask me if falling asleep while watching TV is alright,' said Dr. Emma Lin, a board-certified pulmonologist, sleep medicine specialist and co-founder of 'The reality is, it is just right for some individuals.' Typically, we hear it's important to avoid screens before bed because they emit blue light, which can suppress the production of melatonin and disrupt our circadian rhythms (or our bodies' 'internal clocks'). This can make our bodies think it's time to be awake. But according to sleep doctors, it's not that simple. Ahead, they explain how watching TV before bed can actually be beneficial, and how to do it right. Watching TV Can Become Part Of Your Bedtime Routine One more piece of sleep advice you've probably heard, for context: to have a bedtime routine. That might look like showering, taking your medication, brushing your teeth and hopping under the sheets. A routine helps with sleep because, over time, your brain associates the two. For some people, TV is a part of that process. 'Their brain learns to associate it with falling asleep, so trying to sleep without it brings on anxiety,' said Dr. Chester Wu, the medical advisor at Rise Science who's double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. 'It's not that TV is helping them sleep — it's that it's become a part of their wind-down habit.' Having TV as a part of your routine is even more 'OK' if it's paired with other healthy sleep practices. 'I've often recommended that watching TV before bed (when paired with other tailored and effective sleep strategies) can be a helpful part of a nightly routine,' said Dr. Michael Gradisar, the head of sleep science at Sleep Cycle. TV Screens May Not Be The Problem We Thought Blue light, blue light, blue light … as much as we hear about it, it's not necessarily the thing that keeps you awake. 'While blue light from phones or screens is often blamed for poor sleep, my research has shown that the biggest disrupter is actually delaying bedtime,' Gradisar said. With that said, watching TV may be a better option compared to scrolling on your phone. 'Of the screen-based activities people engage in before bed, watching TV is the least disruptive,' Gradisar said. 'TV is a passive device compared to phones.' Additionally, the light may not be as bright, and therefore as problematic, as we thought. Lin said if the screen isn't super bright, and the content isn't disturbing, 'there's a negligible effect.' Gradisar agreed. He pointed to a 2024 study in Sleep Medicine Reviews that found light emitted from screens is not intense enough to disrupt sleep. TV Time Can Reduce Nighttime Anxiety Feel more anxious at night? Perhaps you can't stop thinking about all you have to get done tomorrow, or you keep having 'cringe attacks'? If so, you're not alone: According to survey findings published by the American Psychological Association, 43% of people have lain awake at night due to stress. Watching TV can get your mind off your worries, allowing your brain to slow down and drift off. But again, it just comes down to timing. 'Watching TV or listening to a podcast as a wind-down routine can be perfectly fine, especially if it helps reduce nighttime overthinking, as long as it doesn't cut into the number of hours of rest you get,' Gradisar said. Lin agreed, with an additional point. 'If what you watch is calm, something you've watched before, it can wind down your brain,' she said. 'That gets you asleep sooner.' TV Isn't Necessarily The No. 1 Answer To Your Sleep Woes, Though However, it's essential to note that other studies have found blue light (or just bright light) from screens to be harmful. Wu said that a TV screen in a darkened room — the latter of which is ideal for sleep — creates more circadian disruption than the same screen in a bright environment. There's also the psychological or sociological piece to consider: We stay up watching TV because, well, we want to stay up watching TV. 'This includes staying up later than planned or engaging in revenge bedtime procrastination, which is when you try to reclaim personal time late at night,' Wu said. And that's a good example of another one of his points: Your sleep may be disrupted more than you realize. 'Even if you don't feel wired after watching TV, it may still impact your sleep quality in subtle ways,' Wu said. (Hello, 'junk sleep.') Follow These Best Practices From Doctors If you're going to fall asleep to a TV show, Lin and Wu suggested following this advice: Set a sleep timer so the TV turns off after 30 to 60 minutes Angle the screen away so it's not directly shining on you Stick to familiar, low-drama, soothing shows Turn down the volume Use night mode or dim your screen Don't wear headphones — sound coming directly into your ears keeps your brain more awake Try blue light-blocking glasses Practice other healthy sleep habits (such as sleeping in a cool, dark room; exercising; avoiding caffeine; and keeping naps to around 20 minutes) Set boundaries around screen time and bedtime Go to bed at the same time every night The bottom line: Listen to your body and watch its patterns. 'If you sleep with [the] TV on, track whether you feel more or less rested on certain nights, or notice differences in how easily you wake up,' Wu said. From there, stick with what works. If you're used to sleeping without a TV or a screen, that may be your best bet. If TV is a part of your nighttime routine, consider following those earlier best practices to ensure it's as least harmful as possible. Related... Hot Sleeper? These 14 Genius Products Can Help You Get Better Rest If You Struggle To Fall Asleep, You Might Have This Specific Type Of Insomnia 'Orthosomnia' Might Be Ruining Your Sleep. Here's What You Should Know.
Telegraph
23-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
The best coverless duvets to save you a chore and keep dust mites at bay
The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We will earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. We all know how tricky changing a duvet cover can be. With a coverless duvet, it's simple: place it on your mattress, sleep under it and then pop it – filling included – in the washing machine as usual. It's a great option if you have accident-prone children, or want a guest bedroom ready in seconds. Many even come with matching pillowcases. 'In America, coverless duvets are the norm,' says Hannah Shore, head of Sleep Science at Mattress Online. They're now growing in popularity in the UK. And it's not just about convenience, adds Shore: 'A coverless duvet can increase the hygiene within your sleeping environment.' Because the entire duvet is washed regularly – unlike traditional ones – there is less build-up of sweat and dust mites. So, I've been testing to see if one deserves a place alongside my favourite sleep mask and mattress topper. Below, you'll find a range of sizes, togs and designs, with regular updates. The best coverless duvets: At a glance How to choose the best coverless duvet Start with the tog rating. As with traditional duvets, higher togs mean more warmth. Most coverless duvets are around 10.5 tog, which suits most season apart from heatwaves or very cold snaps. Consider storage too, especially if you plan to rotate togs. Many come with a storage bag, but not all. Think about your washing machine's capacity, particularly for larger sizes. Singles and doubles usually fit in a seven to eight kilogram drum. If you don't have a tumble dryer, or the coverless duvet isn't suitable, dry it on line or airer. In cold or rainy weather, a heated drying rack or a dehumidifier should speed up the process. Having a spare might be useful in these cases. Since coverless duvets come into direct contact with skin, check the fabric. Cotton is soft and breathable, while fillings are typically microfibre or polyester for easy washing. Finally, look at the design. You'll likely use the same coverless duvet for months, so choose a print or colour you like. I've included options for all tastes and budgets. How we test coverless duvets Over two months, I replaced my usual duvet with a range of coverless options from top brands. I paid close attention to how soft they felt against the skin and the quality of the materials. I also assessed the plumpness and distribution of the filing, including after multiple washes and drying cycles. I looked for everything from shrinkage to loose threads. To test stain resistance, I applied a smear of foundation to each duvet and checked how well it washes out, especially on lighter and patterned designs. I also considered the variety available. Some brands offer multiples sizes, tog ratings and styles, while others are more limited. As they are available in lighter and heavier togs, I also wanted to see whether or not they helped regulate my body temperature, especially as someone who can run warm overnight. You'll find my full verdicts below. But since trying these duvet, I haven't returned to a traditional one. I now rotate between two Night Lark models depending on the season. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best sleep product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best coverless duvets of 2025 1. Best Buy Coverless Duvet: Night Lark Linen Print Coverless Duvet Search for coverless duvets and Night Lark pops up again and again. Having tested it, I can see why. Available in a lighter 4.5 tog for summer and a heavier 10.5 tog. I tried the latter and it didn't add much bulk to my bed. After seeing it online and in its duffle storage bag, I was concerned that it might have a coarse, skin-irritating texture. Thankfully, it was just a print; the microfibre felt sumptuously soft. Despite its polyester filling, which can trap heat, it felt breathable. I didn't overheat and it stayed comfortable throughout the night. It also washed and tumble dried well, with no clumping or bunching, which is handy for the colder, wetter months. Most of Night Lark's coverless duvets come as sets, but this one is duvet only, meaning you will need to buy its accompanying pillowcases separately or use your own. On its own, it's still one of the brand's most affordable options. Key specifications 2. Best Value Coverless Duvet: Slumberdown Coverless Comfort Printed Duvet & Pillow Case Priced from around £30 for a single to £40 for a king, this Slumberdown coverless set is excellent value. You get both the duvet and pillowcase, with a reversible design – striped on one side, plain on the other – offering two looks in one. The microfibre outer felt soft against the skin, and the 10.5 tog had a decent weight without being too heavy. I had to swap it out for a lighter tog alternative in warm weather, but that is to be expected. The hollowfibre filling didn't clump together or bunch up either. Plus, it is hypoallergenic, making it a strong choice for allergy or asthma sufferers, or anyone with sensitive skin. After the first wash and line dry, it held up well. But following the second wash, it seemed to shrink slightly. When I put it back on my bed, it didn't drape over the mattress quite as well, even though I followed all of the care instructions. That said, it still covered the mattress properly. Key specifications 3. Best Summer Coverless Duvet: Night Lark Gingham Print Coverless Duvet Set Coming in 10.5 and 4.5 togs, the latter is fantastic for the warmer months. I tested it as the temperatures exceeded 27C and it was still light and airy enough for me to sleep under. Its charming gingham design (whether you choose blue or taupe) looks like the sort of premium bedding set that would cost well over £50 on its own, so to have an all-in-one duvet for a similar price makes this an excellent buy. Similar to the other Night Lark inclusion above, it is filled with fibres made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles and is Okeo-Tex Standard 100 certified, which means it has been tested and doesn't contain harmful chemicals. It felt soft yet cooling on my skin. Along with my cooling pillows, it made this duvet a winning combination for the summer. Even though this is a reversible coverless duvet, the simple white side feels like a wasted opportunity. Thankfully, I didn't find any loose threads, even after washing and drying it a few times, and there was no sign of the foundation stain that I applied after a spin. I also appreciated the accompanying Night Lark duffle storage bag, making it easy to store neatly when not in use. Key specifications Togs: 4.5, 10.5 Sizes: Single, double, king and super king Colours: Warm Sand, Dusk Blue Filling: 100 per cent recycled polyester Casing: Polyester Matching pillowcases: One included with the single, two included with the other sizes 4. Best Coverless Duvet for All Seasons: So'Home Warm Weight Coverless Duvet Available in a natural beige, grey and rich teal, So'Home's Warm Weight Coverless Duvet is a great choice throughout the year. It is lightweight enough to use when the weather is that bit warmer, but its padding gives it a cosy and warm feel for chillier evenings. The filling remained evenly distributed even when I fidgeted and felt neither too heavy nor too airy from spring to summer. I have a feeling it will be just as comfortable when paired with an electric blanket or weighted blanket over the winter months, too. Another reason it is suited to all seasons is the casing. The mixture of polyester and cotton meant that it felt a bit more breathable on the skin than some of the other solely polyester designs. It stopped me from feeling too sweaty or stuffy. The clear plastic storage bag was disappointing though. It's generally recommended not to store duvets or bedding in plastic bags or containers as this can prevent proper airflow, which could lead to mould and mildew. As my bedroom can be prone to damp at the best of times, I had to find alternative storage when it wasn't being used. It didn't come with a matching pillowcase either. Key specifications 5. Best Single Coverless Duvets: Next Coverless Duvet & Pillowcase Set If you happen to have a single bed or want a simple solution for any unexpected overnight guests, Next's coverless duvet and pillowcase set fits the bill. Also available in a double, I put the single to the test. Its somewhat subdued light grey and white stripe appearance makes it an understated option. It looks and feels good quality though. I liked the texture of its filling, which remained evenly distributed and didn't bunch up in the corners, even after a week or so of testing. Due to the light colour, I was apprehensive that any stains would be obvious. A quick spin removed most of the foundation stain I applied, only leaving a slight tinge. After a second wash, it had completely disappeared. Key specifications Togs: 10.5 Sizes: Single and double Colours: Grey and white striped Filling: 100 per cent polyester Casing: 100 per cent polyester Matching pillowcases: One included with the single, two included with the double 6. Best Coverless Duvet for Kids: George at Asda Disney Lilo & Stitch Coverless Duvet George at Asda has a range of brilliant coverless duvets for children, featuring beloved characters from Paw Patrol and Spider-Man, and it was the Lilo & Stitch design that caught my eye. The unisex design should impress an assortment of ages and it's reversible, with a matching pillowcase. The duvet is available in two sizes, a 4.5 tog cot, toddler or junior bed iteration and a 10.5 tog single. While it's lightweight, it still added a nice amount of warmth to the bed. Given that little ones can be prone to accidents and spills, I applied some orange juice to the duvet in addition to smearing some foundation on it. Even without spot treating the stains, a normal wash removed everything. I also appreciated that I was able to clean and quickly dry the duvet over the course of the day, in time for bedtime. It isn't suitable for tumble drying, which might put some off, but it can be line dried in a few hours, depending on the weather. The matching storage bag was a tight fit. It took me more time and energy than I would have liked to ensure it was rolled enough to fit in the bag. If you're looking to store it away after a sleepover or as you switch up your child's bedroom, this is something to keep in mind. Key specifications Togs: 4 tog, 10.5 Sizes: Two – Cot bed, toddler or junior bed and single Colours: Various Filling: 100 per cent polyester Casing: 60 per cent cotton, 40 per cent polyester Matching pillowcases: One included 7. Best Coverless Duvet for Teens: Dunelm Ombre Pastel Single Coverless Duvet and Pillowcase Set For older children and teens, this Dunelm coverless duvet set with an ombre pastel design is a lovely choice. The 7.5 tog has a nice weight to it, despite being one of the lightest coverless duvets that I tried. It also comes with a matching pillowcase. You likely won't be able to use this coverless duvet all year round, as it's not lofty enough for colder months. It washed and dried without any issues though and the binding around the edge meant that there weren't any loose threads. I didn't witness any noticeable changes to the look or feel of the duvet as I tested it, either. Thanks to its matching storage bag, it could also be handy to have for sleepovers. Key specifications Togs: 7.5 Sizes: Single Colours: Multicoloured Filling: 100 per cent recycled polyester Casing: 100 per cent recycled polyester Matching pillowcases: One included 8. Best Double Coverless Duvet: Silentnight Seersucker Coverless Duvet And Pillowcase Set Another reversible style, this one features a light grey on one side and a beautiful blue on the other. Initially, the dimpled seersucker finish of this coverless duvet and matching pillowcases was a bit rougher than I expected. It has since softened, after washing and drying it a few times. I was able to wash and dry the double size with ease, and the foundation stain, which I applied to the lighter grey side, disappeared after just one wash. I thought that the textured finish may cause dirt and debris to cling to it, but this wasn't the case. I liked the piping around the edging, and overall, the duvet seemed to be of good quality. It was also one of the warmest, despite having the same 10.5 tog rating as many others. Key specifications Coverless duvets FAQs How do you wash and dry a coverless duvet? Check the manufacturer's instructions beforehand, but most coverless duvets will be machine washable. 'To wash a coverless duvet, place it in a large capacity washing machine on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent. After washing, tumble dry on a low heat setting with dryer balls to help maintain its fluffiness, or you can air dry in a well-ventilated space. Just make sure you turn it around regularly to ensure even drying,' explains Martin Seeley, senior sleep expert at MattressNextDay. If the coverless duvet is too big or heavy to fit in your washing machine, you may have to take it to a launderette. How often should you wash a coverless duvet compared to a normal duvet cover? Since a coverless duvet comes into direct contact with your skin, you will need to wash it more often than a traditional duvet. According to Seeley: 'A coverless duvet should be washed every two to four weeks, similar to how often you would wash your duvet cover.' 'If you're a hot sweaty sleeper, your duvet may need washing more frequently,' Shore suggests. 'Other activities, like eating breakfast in bed, could require increased washing, too. If you have allergies, you may also find washing your duvet more often could help.' Are coverless duvets warm enough for the UK? As they come in a variety of togs, making them suitable for different seasons, coverless duvets are certainly warm enough for the UK climate. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet, so you can choose the best option for you. 'Many are designed with advanced insulation and breathable materials to keep you cosy in the winter but comfortable in the summer,' Seeley affirms.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Midults: My wife sleeps in the spare room more and more
Dear A&E, My wife has started sleeping in the spare room more and more and I'm a bit concerned. We've only been married for a year and are in our early 30s. And I don't really snore, unless I've been drinking. I am worried that we are already drifting apart, and the separate bedrooms are just the beginning. Our sex life is great but I want all of her. Love, – Uneasy Dear Uneasy, We are obsessed with sleep. We talk about sleep like we used to talk about sex: how much are you getting? How long does it last? Was it good? Sleeping seven to nine hours a night is the holy grail; a key factor in positive mental health, physical health, all the healths. We pathologise it, we catastrophise about it, because, like sex, we're mostly not getting enough. We are tired all the time and we worry about being tired all the time, which means we don't sleep; an unvirtuous circle. We have Oura rings (one friend admitted to being a bit disappointed when her Oura ring told her she was getting a surprisingly healthy amount of sleep) to track our REM cycles. And we don't merely avoid caffeine after 2pm – that's rookie sleep hygiene. No, we try to practise clean bedtime routines: We don't drink, we don't eat anything too heavy; no screens; you name it… anything in order to give ourselves the best chance of hitting that dreamy eight hours of oblivion. And it's not just us mid-lifers who are poring over sleep apps and signing up to be measured and biohacked to within an inch of our lives. Your thirty-something wife is just another of her cohort who is feverish about nighttime routines: the problem of sleep deprivation in millennials is so widespread that they are commonly known as 'The Tired Generation'. So, dear Uneasy, your feelings are collateral damage in this crusade. Sure, it's lovely to be wrapped around someone now and again, but nothing beats sleeping alone. Sleeping with someone else can be quite trying once the honeymoon is over. There are temperature issues, one is always too hot, while the other is too cold. You say snoring is not often a factor but you might talk, or move, or just breathe a bit too much. And then there's the bed itself: duvet weight, tucked in sheets, disagreements over optimum mattress type. Emilie's husband likes a firm mattress; Emilie, not so much. So they have a compromise mattress which in the end appeals to neither. Emilie sneaks down to sink into her trusty memory foam mattress in the spare room at every given opportunity. Everyone is happy. Lack of sleep can inflict significant damage on a human body and it can also be a huge potential threat to a relationship. People usually want to bring their best selves to a marriage, a self that can be severely compromised by a bad night. And, if children appear, it becomes imperative that at least one person sleeps in order to keep the show on the road. Perhaps your wife would rather sleep in the other room to be able to make the most of her waking hours; rather than emerging from a tough night full of dread. The good news is, dear Uneasy, from our point of view, you are doing pretty damn well: you are getting sex and sleep. However, as you are worrying – and presumably, as a result, not bringing your best self to the day – why not do a little investigating and join her quest for the perfect sleep situation? Work out what exactly it is that is sending her scuttling off to the other room. Is there a temperature issue, in which case get separate duvets (a game-changing idea courtesy of the scandis). Does she like to read in bed but you want the light off or vice versa? (A Kindle is a good solve here). Is the mattress right? Is the bed big enough? Are the curtains heavier in the other room? Perhaps with a little tweak you might find your sleepily ever after. If not, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone, in sleeping alone. A friend of ours, who is a very distinguished interior designer, says that the third meeting with a client is always when 'the snoring room' come up. 'Of course, we're very happy,' they all say, 'It's just that the snoring is unbearable.' Separate rooms do not equate to separate lives. One last thing, dear Uneasy. It is interesting to us that you say in your letter that you 'want all of her'. Perhaps that sounds romantic to you, and it might well be. It might also be a lot of pressure, on both of you. Careful, because none of us can be everything, or give everything, to someone else. It is important in any relationship to have room to grow, to oxygenate and flourish. An urge to be possessed, to be held all the time, might initially have felt very natural and exciting, but over time, could feel a little stifling. Don't tuck her in too tight. We are not saying that this is what is making her bolt for the other bedroom, but it is worth keeping an eye on. Good luck and good night. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
