Mobile, a pint and insomnia drive Brits to spend £3.1bn on impulse purchases each month

From internetretailing.net

The convenience of mobile commerce – and the web in general – coupled with a pint or two is propping up the UK economy with tap-happy shoppers spending £3.1bn each month on impulse purchases. Among the oddest are a furry rabbit, £120 worth of cheese, a castle for a pet cat, and 100 condoms.
From adding to their wardrobe to filling up their fridge, the average person spends £47.84 on spontaneous buys every single month meaning as a nation we’re spending up to £37 billion on these types of purchases over the course of a year.
A study conducted by delivery management company, Whistl, has delved into the impulse buying habits of the British public and revealed that a huge 91% of the nation make impulse purchases every month.

Top five items that are bought on impulse each month include:

1. Clothes (56%)
2. Food and drink (49%)
3. Home accessories (34%)
4. Shoes (27%)
5. Jewellery (22%).

Looking at where Brits are going to splash their cash, supermarket trips seem to be their Achilles heel, as over half (59%) admitted that this is where they are adding the most extras to their baskets. Online retailers including Amazon and eBay were named as the next best places to go to indulge.
Insomnia and a pint appear to be the backbone of the British retail economy, with over a third (39%) of Brits admitting late night browsing online leads them to these types of purchases and 24% said having a drink got them pressing buy now. Others claimed a special offer makes them more likely to buy on impulse.
When it comes to the delivery time, some impulse buyers aren’t as eager as they first appear with over a quarter (28%) of those surveyed saying they are happy to wait a week for their impulse buys. However, a third are not so patient and are only willing to wait two to three days to receive their purchases.
Melanie Darvall, Director of Marketing & Communications at Whistl comments: “Today, more and more Brits are used to being able to get hold of anything they want or need at the touch of a button. From adding an extra bottle of wine to your basket at the supermarket to splashing out on a new pair of heels that are 30% off ‘just because’. These types of purchases can soon add up but it’s great to see so many shoppers being savvy when it comes to getting the best prices and quickest delivery.
“Impulse buying has always played a key role in the retail mix and with the rise of online shopping, retailers must offer a seamless experience with easy navigation, fast payment and a choice of delivery options.”

http://internetretailing.net/2017/08/mobile-pint-insomnia-drive-brits-spend-3-1bn-impulse-purchases-month/

Binge-Watching TV Is Linked To Poorer Sleep And Insomnia

From forbes.com

Falling into the category of "not surprising but worth a study on," a new study finds that binge-watching a favourite TV show before bed is a bad idea, at least when it comes to sleep. Binge-watching seems to increase what psychologists call arousal—not sexual arousal, but cognitive arousal, the feeling of being wired and ready to do more. In fact, in the new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, binge-watching TV was linked to significantly poorer sleep, suggesting yet another way that gadgets, especially before bed, are detracting from our ability to engage in normal human behaviours—in this case, falling asleep.
In the new research from the University of Michigan, the team had 420 young adults (between 18 and 25 years of age) fill out questionnaires, which were designed to measure a number of behavioural variables, including sleep quality, fatigue, insomnia, “pre-sleep arousal” (both cognitive and physiological) and binge TV-watching, defined as “watching multiple consecutive episodes of the same television show in one sitting on a screen, be it a television, laptop, computer or tablet computer screen.”

It turned out that a lot of the participants, about 80%, reported binge-watching at some point or another over the past month. Though 40% binge-watched only once during that time, 28% did it a few times in the month, and 14% did it a few times a week. Almost 7% reported binge-watching almost every day of the study period. (Keep in mind these are mostly college students.)And their sleep suffered for it. Those who binge-watched more frequently reported more insomnia, poorer sleep quality in general, and more daytime fatigue. Interestingly, the results were almost entirely explained by greater cognitive arousal at night—the feeling of being mentally wired—in those who binge-watched, rather than physiological arousal.
The researchers point out that people often didn’t intend on a bingeing episode, but it just sort of happened: “Curiously," they write, "binge viewing appears to be unintentional: reports indicate that 71% of binge viewing happens by accident, when people wound up watching more than they wanted to.”

Why are people bingeing in this way? Part of it is that the TV shows these days are just that good. They're so engaging, the team suggests, that they can suck in a viewer unawares. “[T]he narrative complexity in these shows leaves viewers thinking about episodes and their sequel after viewing them,” the authors write. “This prolongs sleep onset or, in other words, requires a longer period to ‘cool down’ before going to sleep, thus affecting sleep overall. Whether the increase in cognitive pre-sleep arousal can be attributed to the higher degree of involvement with the content is an interesting avenue for future research.”
There’s been a lot of attention, in recent years, on the fact that using our smartphones and other gadgets before bed is bad for sleep—but for a different reason. Here, the blue wavelengths of light from the screens can affect the brain regions that govern circadian rhythm, in part by suppressing melatonin secretion. So the reason has largely been explained by neurophysiological mechanisms.
But this new study hints that there can also be a purely psychological element to the feeling of being wired from our gadgets. With TV, we’re cognitively and intellectually amped up. Thinking about what just happened on House of Cards, and what could possibly happen next, is apparently just too engaging to relinquish for sleep. But we may want to keep this study in mind before we click "next episode."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/08/18/binge-watching-tv-linked-to-poorer-sleep-quality-and-insomnia/#7f2b5d3a25ee

What are 'depression naps' and are they a sign of trouble?

From today.com

You may have seen the memes on Twitter — gifs about falling into bed, hiding under the covers, or just collapsing onto the ground for a so-called “depression nap.” The concept describes a lie-down that lets you escape the world through sleep when you’re tired, stressed, anxious or feeling down.
But when are these naps a sign of something more serious?

Depression and sleep
Experts agree that depression is intimately connected to problems with sleep.
“Disturbance in sleep is a cardinal symptom of depression,” Myrna M. Weissman, a professor of epidemiology and psychiatry at Columbia University, told TODAY. She noted these disturbances can take a variety of forms, including insomnia, an inability to fall asleep, a tendency to wake up during the night, or a tendency to feel worse in the morning upon rising.
In fact, according to Harvard Medical School, a variety of studies indicate that between 65 to 90 percent of adult patients with major depression experience some type of sleep problem. A 2012 study published in the journal Sleep found sleep disturbances like snorting and stopping breathing were strongly associated with incidence of major depression.

A 'depression nap' doesn’t mean you’re depressed

Most often, clinical depression is connected to some form of insomnia, said Dr. Rochelle Zak, a sleep medicine specialist at the UCSF Sleep Disorders Centre.
“Depression is less likely to result in daytime sleepiness,” Zak said. “Often, people are hyper-aroused, so they would love to nap but they can’t.”
Young people in their 20s and 30s who are experiencing increased sleepiness during the day and who are taking these so-called “depression naps” may actually be sleep-deprived rather than clinically depressed, Zak explained. They may be working long days or spending too much time on their screens at night, leading to poorer sleep quality and more stress, she said.

The 'depression nap' as an escape

Another possibility? People may be using these naps as a form of escape, said Dr. Helen M. Farrell, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre.
“Personally and professionally, I don’t like the phrase ‘depression naps’ and would deter patients from using that phrase and taking that sort of ‘nap,’” Farrell said. While naps are meant to be restorative and energizing, these types of naps actually can be an unhealthy way of dealing with your feelings, becoming a kind of defence mechanism, she said.

“It’s very important for people to be able to tolerate their feelings and practice healthy coping skills that combat depression, rather than succumbing to it,” Farrell explained.
Emanuel Maidenberg, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, agreed such naps could be a coping mechanism, noting they could either be a symptom of low energy or a way for people to avoid hopeless or helpless thoughts.
“It can be helpful in the short run, but recurrent dependence on naps becomes a potential mechanism of depression maintenance,” he explained.

When to seek help

When do depression naps go from Twitter joke to crucial sign that you may need to seek medical help?
“The key to a healthy nap is that it’s short, infrequent, and energizing — usually referred to as ‘power naps,’” Farrell said.
When naps grow longer and start to feel draining rather than restorative, or when they cause someone to miss out on important work or life events, it may be time to seek professional attention, Farrell noted.
Also, if napping is accompanied by other symptoms of depression, like low energy, trouble concentrating, or low mood, then professional help can be extremely beneficial — and even life-saving, she said.

https://www.today.com/health/what-are-depression-naps-are-they-sign-trouble-t114981

Can 'Bedtime' Teas Really Help You Fall Asleep Faster?

From womenshealthmag.com

Lots of us swear by our bedtime tea—and many companies make teas specifically geared to helping you get a better night's sleep. But do these concoctions actually work, or are they mostly placebo? We had a couple of nutritionists peek at the most common ingredients to weigh in on their actual effects on tiredness and sleep.
Turns out, while the ingredients in bedtime teas vary, a few of the most common just might put you in the mood for sleep:

Chamomile. Some research has shown that consuming this flower may help you nod off. “It is a mild tranquilizer that’s been consumed for many years,” says nutritionist Abby Langer, R.D.

Lavender: In one study, smelling lavender helped women catch more REM sleep, while other research has shown it may help stabilize moods and have a sedative effect. “In Germany, lavender tea has been approved for insomnia,” says Langer. “When it’s inhaled it has sedative and relaxing effects. Although most of the research is in inhalation and not tea, I think it could be effective.”

Valerian root: This plant is a common ingredient in over-the-counter insomnia treatments. However, results are still inconclusive as to whether or not it can help with sleep quality. “The problem is, we’re not sure about the dosage. Also it can cause dizziness and stomach upset as side effects, so you have to be careful,” says Langer.

Spearmint/peppermint. Mint is great for digestion and curbing gas after a big meal, especially peppermint. “If you’re having stomach problems, it could lead to being able to sleep better,” says Jessica Levinson, R.D. Langer notes that animal studies have also shown peppermint may increase length of sleep. “But we’re not rats. It’s likely added mostly for flavour,” she says.

Fennel: This licorice-flavoured veggie relaxes muscles, like the intestines and uterus, and it’s been shown to help with heartburn, gas, and cramps—which is why it might be added to tea, say Levinson and Langer.

Passion flower: It’s possible these flowers could help with sleep, but it’s far from sure. “While a few studies show it calms anxiety and insomnia, the results may be confounded by other herbs it’s often combined with,” Langer says.

Lemongrass. While a couple of animal studies have shown this mild-smelling herb may lead to longer snoozing, “They’re very weak. I wouldn’t take them as evidence,” Langer says.

So do bedtime teas really work? Unfortunately the answer isn’t clear-cut. “Most of the research is very weak or in animal studies. That’s normal for most herbal remedies, says Langer.

As far as other ingredients (such as tilia/linden flowers, blackberry leaves, hawthorn, and rosebuds), none have been shown to help with sleep; the nutritionists agree they’re most likely included as flavouring.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/teas-for-sleep

Can't get to sleep? Advice for insomniac workers

From theguardian.com

Many of us know that getting a good night’s sleep isn’t as simple as it sounds, with one in three people in the UK suffering from insomnia. Despite some people surviving on just a few hours kip and seeing it as a badge of honour, good sleep is vital to our wellbeing – a lack of sleep can seriously affect our mental and physical health. And when it comes to your career, an exhausted worker is much less likely to be productive and focused.
“I believe that there can be no health, or mental health, without healthy sleeping,” says Dr Alanna Hare, a consultant in sleep and ventilation at Royal Brompton Hospital.“It is important to acknowledge that sleep has an architecture – like a house – and so one needs the right forms and stage of sleep to be present.”
However, almost three-quarters of Brits don’t get the recommended seven hours sleep. This could be due to a range of factors from stress to a change in diet or location. So first, it’s important to assess what could be causing your insomnia. “Sleep is not always just a single issue but often one symptom of many other things that have gone awry,” says holistic health practitioner Christine Hansen. “Take a look at what else might be going on – could it be related to blood sugar levels? How have your stress levels been recently? That might influence your cortisol levels, which could be keeping you awake,” she says.
Monitoring your sleeping habits could help you, or a sleep expert, assess what is stopping you from falling asleep. “It might help to keep a sleep diary, which involves recording information about your sleep habits to help you understand your sleep problem and what’s affecting it,” advises Annie Crabtree, senior information officer at Mind, the mental health charity. “It could include information about things like, what time you go to bed and what time you get up, how much sleep you’re getting, how long you are awake, and your general feelings and moods, including any anxious or repetitive thoughts.”
It’s also important to remember that our sleeping habits fluctuate, and even “people with no sleep issues struggle with sleep”, says Maryanne Taylor, founder and sleep consultant at The Sleep Works.
We all experience times of stress, anxiety and change in our lives, which can affect our ability to sleep soundly, so experts recommend de-stressing and relaxing before you go to bed. This includes having at least an hour of tech-free time every day.
“Think of sleep as more of a dimmer switch than on-off switch, when it comes to your body. Try to set aside time in your day to unwind and settle before you sleep, setting yourself a technology cut-off time and avoiding any smartphone use in the bedroom,” says Sammy Margo, sleep expert and author of The Good Sleep Guide.
“Research has shown that the emission of blue light from these devices can interfere with the release of your sleep hormone, melatonin, which will in turn affect the quality of your sleep.
“Have a relaxing shower or bath, listen to some soothing music or an audiobook with a warm glass of milk or chamomile tea. Also, dim the lights to increase your chances of getting plenty of recovery-friendly sleep,” she adds.
There are also different apps and gadgets that hat may help, such as CBT-i coach or iRest. And if insomnia persists and you feel that it’s taking over your life, there are various therapies available. “Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) has the best evidence for producing enduring improvements in insomnia. It is a combination of therapies which work on both the unhelpful behaviours which result in insomnia persisting, and the thoughts and beliefs about sleep which can prevent sleep,” says Hare.
But, she warns, it “can be difficult to find registered practitioners, and waiting lists can be long. Private course costs vary, but the impact of effective treatment often makes it worthwhile.”
Whichever method you choose to try to sleep better, don’t see it as a battle. “Sleep is not an active process, but a passive one,” says Hare. “The more you try to sleep, the harder it can be. Try to avoid this effort to sleep by using relaxation exercises such as progressive relaxation, deep breathing, or mindfulness exercises.”
Dr Guy Meadows, founder of The Sleep School, agrees: “Often it is our desperation to find a solution that actually keeps us awake and here lies the problem. The more we try to control sleep the more awake we become.”
He advises: “Let go of struggling with your sleep and begin to trust in your body’s natural ability to
“You can be mindful by noticing things objectively and without judgment in the present moment. For example, noticing the touch of your duvet on your toes or the gentle movement of air in and out your nose. If your mind wanders on to worry, gently return back to the present moment. Only once you can stop struggling against wakefulness do you create a platform from which sleep can emerge.”
And if you’re still left lying awake in bed, experts recommend you get up after about quarter of an hour – but don’t keep checking the clock, as this could drive your restlessness. “The key is not to remain in your bed lying awake. We are seeking to programme the mind into seeing the bed as a place of rest,” advises Dr Paul Miller, a senior psychiatrist specialising in general adult and old-age psychiatry.
When you leave the bedroom, sit in a quiet space, try reading a book, or sip on a non-caffeinated tea.
In our 24-hour society, it can be difficult to make sleep and rest a priority in our lives. So we need to give ourselves a chance to get the kip we deserve. Hare advises: “Switch off your electronic devices at least 30 minutes to one hour before bed and have some time to relax and wind down.”

https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/aug/03/cant-get-sleep-advice-for-insomniac-workers

This Is Literally the Most Boring Movie Ever Made—and It Could Be Just What You Need

From rd.com

The latest movie to hit your screen is truly meant for the bedroom, but get your mind out of the gutter. This is one flick you can watch with the kiddos, albeit you may fall asleep doing it. And that’s the idea.
Being touted as the dullest movie ever made, Baa-Baa Land is about nothing—specifically sheep doing nothing. It fits into the up-and-coming Slow TV genre on Netflix and the BBC featuring non-existent plots and pacing that’s equivalent to watching paint dry. It may not be a thing in the states yet, but in Norway, Slow TV has taken off. According to the Daily Beast, it attracted 450,000 viewers upon its debut, way more than anticipated, and has been viewed by 1.2 million people, in a country with a population of only 5 million.
The whole purpose of Baa Baa Land is to relax you and give you a break from the frenetic 24/7 world we live in. The hope from creators at Calm.com is that insomnia will be no match for sheep grazing on green pastures. And we much prefer the idea of watching sheep to eating doggie ear wax, seriously—that’s one of the wackier old-time cures for insomnia that really existed.
Michael Acton Smith, co-founder of Calm, feels this movie will encourage a “transition time” between the manic pace of every day and the calm and tranquillity required for slumber. “We need to create a transition time,” Smith says, “so that rather than stimulating our minds with emails or Facebook, we instead allow them to unwind. We seldom do this. It’s no wonder that so many of us struggle to calm our racing minds and nod off naturally.”
An insomnia movie like Baa Baa Land—as well as the main “Sleep Stories” available on Calm—are designed to help people create this sort of transition time.
Although Peter Freedman, producer of the film, isn’t aware of any official studies, he believes that a film that is slow-paced and contemplative, with long camera takes and no car-shows or explosions should and will help you wind down, relax, and drift off.
“When you try to sleep, your mind monitors your efforts, which then keeps you awake. Instead, have the intention of relaxing and letting go,” says Steve Orma, PhD, a clinical psychologist and specialist who has advised Calm.
The eight-hour film will premiere at a cinema in London this fall and simultaneously be streamed/webcast globally on both the Calm website and app at no cost.
There’s even talk of partnering with charities or non-profits for “event screenings,” where supporters could be sponsored by the hour to attend the world’s dullest movie… or else raise money from ticket sales.
And it may be the first movie to be judged a hit not for how many people watched it, but for how many people it put to sleep.

http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/baa-baa-land-insomnia/