Keeping you cosy

With the weather growing colder, it can become a challenge to warm up at bedtime – but given rising energy costs, many will be reluctant to turn on the heating.

Sleep experts Bed Kingdom have highlighted six of the best foods to have as a late-night snack that will naturally heat up your body as well as induce sleep.

Having nuts before bed, such as peanuts, almonds, and pistachios, can increase metabolism speed and raise your body heat. As well as this, these nuts contain melatonin, a natural hormone that helps to control your sleep cycle.

It is no coincidence that cinnamon is associated with winter – thanks to its thermogenic properties that increases body heat when it’s cold, it is perfect to consume before bed. A sprinkle of cinnamon in a glass of milk at night won’t just heat you up, but due to the tryptophan in milk, which induces sleep, you’ll also find it easier to rest.

Oats may be something you’d normally

Reader Bruce Tosh writes: “While enjoying fine weather during a recent walk in the hills above Glen Moy I noticed how visible the Airlie memorial tower between Clova and Prosen is now that the surrounding trees have been harvested.”