Sleep is the most popular choice as the clocks go back

The clocks went back on Saturday night giving us all an extra hour in bed on Sunday but also heralding the start of winter.

​With the night’s drawing in thoughts turn towards living in a cosy home and most of us spend more time indoors. As the weather turns colder after a warm summer it seems most people spent the extra hour in bed on Sunday morning, sleeping, rather than getting up to anything else.

The Sleep Council conducted an online survey and found that more than half of us planned to grab an extra hour’s shut-eye, 57%, nearly five times the amount of people who chose the next most popular option of indulging in some hanky panky, 12%.

9% planned to spend the extra hour with their family, the same number who decided they would brave the elements and exercise. 6% chose the option of an extra hour in bed with the company of the Sunday newspapers and, incredibly, 6% decided to use the time to do housework.

Lisa Artis at The Sleep Council said: “As the temperature starts to drop and the evenings become darker, summer really feels like a distant memory and people naturally spend more time in their beds.

“Who hasn’t snuggled further under the covers for a little extra sleep on a cold morning? And what a perfect opportunity to do so with your extra hour on National Sleep In Day.” 

A similar survey by housebuilders Barratt found that an extra hours’ sleep was again the most popular choice, with 50% of men and women choosing to get some extra shut-eye.

However, there was a difference between men and women on other options with women choosing exercise as a clear second at 25%, followed by making time for breakfast, 15% and then using he extra hour to get ready for the day, 12%

It is perhaps not surprising that not many men selected time to get ready as an option. The second choice for men was exercise with 17%, with 14% opting to do nothing at all!

Barratt Homes sales director Michelle Storer said the survey reveals that extra time is likely to be spent in the home with people not keen to be separated from their bed on the darker mornings.

“Sleep, eating breakfast, playing with the children, getting ready for the day and catching up with social media were all mentioned in the survey reinforcing our love of our homes,’’ she said.

Here are some easy tips to help you cosy up and keep warm this winter; 

1. Bed Essentials

If you’re buying a new bed for winter, look for a mattress which has a ‘warm’ side, and a soft sleeping surface is a better insulator than a flat one.  Using a fleecy under-blanket will help to retain the heat. Choose a duvet with a high tog rating or use several layers of bedding rather than one single layer – layers will trap warm air and are easily removed if you get too hot.

2. Preparation is Key

Before going to bed, have a warm bath to relax and help you feel sleepy. Make a warm, milky drink to sip on before you switch off. Light exercise a few hours before bedtime will get your circulation going to help keep the body warm – but vigorous exercise very close to bedtime may make you feel too energised to sleep.

3. Dress For Bed

Wear night clothes such as pyjamas or a large T-shirt to keep you warm.  Natural fibres such as wool, cotton or silk will keep you warmer than synthetic materials.

4. Bedroom Temperature Control

Keep the bedroom warm, but not too hot, and free from draughts. Don’t make your partner suffer if you prefer different temperatures and reach for the socks if you get cold feet.

5. If You’re Cold In Bed…

A hot water bottle is an ideal way to keep warm once in bed.  Make sure it has a cover on it to avoid scalding, and so that it won’t feel cold in the middle of the night. Electric blankets are ideal too. Using under-blankets will warm the bed up before you retire for the night, while overblankets maintain a constant temperature throughout the night.   

6. Can’t Get Out of Bed?     

Waking up is hard to do – especially when it’s still dark and cold outside. You could try a sunshine alarm clock that brightens gradually to simulate daylight, and set your heating to come on at a certain time so it’s warm when you get out of bed.