Are you tired of staying up late?
DO YOU know that you could really do with getting to bed earlier, but can’t seem to make it happen?
Between Netflix episodes that roll on and on, and Instagram scrolls that take us down a rabbit hole of endless clicking, sometimes the reason we’re not catching enough zeds is no mystery.
It’s so easy to get stuck in this loop, but if not clocking up enough quality slumber is taking a toll, you might want to break the habit.
So, why is that so much easier said than done?
Sleep procrastination – basically putting off sleeping and doing other things instead – is very common.
While you might be kicking yourself for being ‘so bad’ when it comes to bedtime, it’s not as simple as lacking discipline.
There might be loads of different reasons for it, but sleep therapist Tracy Hannigan (tracythesleepcoach.co.uk) believes sleep procrastinators mainly fall into two categories.
“There are the people who are trying to exert some control over something, and it happens to be at night-time when there’s nobody else demanding anything of them,” she explains.
“Then there are the people who don’t carve any time out for themselves, so they’re doing something they enjoy at night, because it’s the only time they can do it.”
Heather. “It’s what we can control, and we get a burst of dopamine to the brain, which is pleasurable. “As humans, we’re very much programmed to take pleasure over pain.” What if your sleep-procrastination method of choice tends to involve a screen? Well it’s no wonder if one episode turns into four, or a quick look at Tiktok turns into a midnight odyssey of dog videos and skincare tutorials. “We are up against technologies that have been designed by geniuses to make us engaged,” says Heather. “And at night, when we’re tired, our ability to self-regulate is strongly impacted, too. “So, it’s not necessarily because people are doing this through choice, or lack self-control: it’s technology, it’s tiredness, it’s overwhelm, it’s trying to get some control in my life, right here, right now.” are the only chance for ‘me time’
It’s not necessarily because people are doing this through choice, or lack self-control: it’s technology, it’s tiredness, it’s overwhelm, it’s trying to get some control in my life, right here, right now to let gadgets steal your slumber
Barbecues on the lawn, rounders in the park and outdoor workouts are just a few of summer’s simple pleasures. But if you’ve ever felt dizzy to the point of passing out after a long day of catching rays, you’ll know too much time in the hot sun can be dangerous – even if you’ve slathered on enough SPF.
It’s worth knowing the symptoms of heatstroke so if you think you’ve gone beyond heat exhaustion, you’ll know exactly what to do.
“You’ll likely be dehydrated, so you’ll need to replace electrolytes as well as water. Drink plenty of H20 and other fluids such as sports drinks – especially if you are very physically active. You can buy special oral rehydration sachets for children and adults from pharmacies.”
She continues: “If you suspect someone is deteriorating with heat exhaustion, try to prevent heatstroke by moving them to a cooler place out of direct sunlight.
“Lie them down and raise their feet slightly. Help them drink water or sports drinks and cool their skin with water using a spray or sponge. It’s very important to stay with them and call the emergency services for help if their symptoms aren’t improving.”
Pharmacy2u’s (pharmacy2u.co.uk) superintendent pharmacist Phil Day stresses: “You should always seek medical help if symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, weakness, dizziness or cramps get worse, or don’t go away.”
To tie in with the release of Space Jam: A New Legacy, in cinemas now, Marks & Spencer has created a slam-dunk kids‘ collection.
The movie sees basketball icon Lebron James star alongside Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny and the Tune Squad and an all-star line-up of Looney Tunes characters feature within the collection, with sizes ranging from 6-16 years.
Hero pieces include graphic T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, embroidered dungarees, and fun pyjama sets.
Available online at marksandspencer.com and in selected stores now.
the rainbow to create your own wildlife museum. It could be a pink petal, yellow straw or a green leaf. A painted eggbox makes a great display case, or you can simply take photos.
Map reading is a great practical skill, so learn while you’re out exploring somewhere you’ve not visited before. Choose an end point and plan your route there – remember to have the map facing in the right direction!
Put some masking tape around your wrist, sticky side out. Find pieces of nature to stick on to the bracelet: twigs, grass, fallen petals. Remember – don’t pick anything that’s still growing. Helen says: “My kids are always trying to stick twigs to their wrists so they’re Power Rangers or something, but my friend’s little girl put loads of flowers on it to make quite an elaborate piece of jewellery.” 9. Nature bracelets