Boring snoring

My memories of early 1970s holidays are somewhat blighted by my dad’s snoring – a noise that cold make the ’van windows shake, and sounded as though he was trying to kickstart a stubborn two-stroke motorcycle (every 10 seconds).

Snoring is a complicated matter, which is not helped by drinking too much alcohol, consuming a large meal too close to bedtime or not adopting a good position for sleeping.

To minimise snoring, it’s best to sleep on the left side, and to stretch out straight (with a pillow between your knees to stop you rolling over).

Keep your head well supported at a natural angle, neither propped up nor drooping down. Your neck should always remain in line with your spine.

A blocked nose can commonly cause snoring. Whether you’re a hay fever sufferer or not, rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal membranes) can affect you. Nasal rinses are widely available to flush out the day’s debris, and you could also try beclomethasone spray, an over-the-counter medicine that reduces levels of inflammation.

Ask your pharmacist for advice.

Earplugs

Earplugs are a great option for blocking out noise and aiding better sleep. The cheapest are disposable, foam earplugs, widely available in DIY shops, pharmacies and online. You might also consider more sophisticated in-ear plugs designed for industrial use.