Is Bedtime Turning into Computer Time?

New research has emerged showing some interesting facts about what people do in bed.

The figures seem to show that the amount of technology used whilst in bed is on the rise.

Katie Toll, the head of research at the Future Foundation - the  has said that "Bedtime is not relaxation time anymore, it's a time for connection via a multitude of devices", and this is reflected in the statistics show below.

87% of 16 to 24 Year Olds Use Tablets in Bed.
Tablets are great alternatives for browsing the web - smaller than a computer and bigger than a phone, they are the perfect size for bite-sized gaming and light social media. So when struggling to get to sleep (even though this can be because of technology) picking up a tablet and tapping away can seem like a great way to while away the minutes. However, although it seems a lot less hefty than a computer, the radiation from the device has the same effect on our brains in keeping us awake and active. So if you have bushbaby eyes at 1am, best leave Facebook to another time.

11% of Consumers Check Their Work Emails in Bed Every Day.
The "work-life merge", as it has been called, has also been on the up, with one in four working longer hours since the economic downturn. This can lead to an inability to 'switch off' from the job, which includes checking work emails at home. Taking this a step further though, a shocking 11% of consumers have admitted to checking their work emails in BED... that's right, waking up and looking at your phone to see that the shipment of staplers are in, or that Dave from Marketing has lost his mug...

68% of 25 to 34 Year Olds Never Switch Off Their Mobile Phones.
With companies, friends, and services available 24/7, it can often feel like we have to have our phones ready at moments notice, simply to feel connected with our world, and not to be send spinning off into the depths of virtual-invisibility. Keeping a phone on constantly can be troublesome, and even dangerous, in cases of cyber-bullying, where it can make a person feel like there is no escape from abuse or annoyance. For the most of us though, it can simply divert our attention, and distract us, so we can't focus on what we're doing properly. Checking messages at certain points throughout the day is advised, instead of willy-nilly checking every few minutes... you know what they say; a watched pot never boils...

As technology advances, it has more opportunity to make itself present in every area of our life. On the flip-side, however, our awareness of being 'overplugged' is also rising, and the importance of 'screen free' time - when tech is put to the side - is being made clear to us all. So whether you choose to have a day a week, an evening daily, or even a few hours of screen-free time, it can save us from becoming too dependent on technology for entertainment and assurance. Keeping technology like phones and tablets out of the bedroom is one of the small steps you can take to getting a better night's sleep and preventing any embarrassing mishaps...

On that note, we'll just finish off this level of Candy Crush, and then get started on that screen free time...

Norwich City FC Win Youth Cup!

As a Norwich-based company, we are thrilled at the news that Norwich City Football Club's U-18's have beaten all the odds and won the Youth Cup.

In a nail-biting game with strong contenders Chelsea, the boys managed to get to half time with 2 goals under their belts, with Chelsea following behind closely with 1 goal.

After half time, Chelsea wasted no time in trying to get back up, but couldn't keep up with the Canaries, with an own goal denting their chances, and a late goal not quite enough to bring them back up.

Last won in 1983, Norwich were proud to take the cup home, with the team taking to twitter to show their support to each other and their supporters.

To see a full review of the game, check out the Norwich City Football Club Website.

New Mattress Protectors on Mattressman!

If you need a protector for your mattress, why not take a look at some of the new ones on our site?

Mattress protectors are vital for not only protecting your mattress, but prolonging its lifespan. A mattress protector can prevent staining, wear and tear, and arrival of of dust mites and bacteria.

First is the Value Luxury Quilted Mattress Protector from Protect-A-Bed. This protector has soft layers of fillings to pad the mattress as well as protect it from dust, liquid, and wear. With an elasticated border, this allows the protector to be put on and off easily for easy washing. Allowing a mattress to 'breathe' is really important, so this protector allows plenty of air to circulated and flow through the fabric.

The Hygiene Plus mattress protector from Slumberfleece has a unique double-action system that prevents bacteria, mould, and dust mites from entering the mattress. This can protect against the harmful spores that cause common allergies such as Asthma, Eczema, and Rhinitis. Washable, and quilted for extra comfort, this protector is also elasticated to aid removal and application.

Lastly of the protectors is the Tender Touch Tencel Protector. Made from the amazing SMART fabric Tencel, this is a fabric that is highly breathable, and has the softness of silk. The use of Tencel in a mattress protector means that it protects from dust and bacteria, and has an extremely lightweight feel. Tencel absorbs moisture quicker than most fabrics, and then releases it quickly into the atmosphere.

Introducing The HoodiePillow!

So we've had the Ostrich Pillow, The Daydreamer Desk, and now a new crazy pillow has arrived... the HoodiePillow!

This "hooded pillowcase" comes in two varieties - the hooded pillowcase, and the travel hooded pillow.

First up - the HoodiePillow.

Fashioned from a soft polycotton, this pillow aims to bring a more snuggly laying experience.

The pillowcase comes with two drawstrings to tighten the hood and shut out any offending light, a handy pocket to stick your mp3 player, and a headphone porthole to keep tangled earphone wires at bay.

Recommended for sleepy teens, students, night workers and loungers, the HoodiePillow promises to provide ultimate "cocoonification".

However, for the more on-the-go types, there is the Travel HoodiePillow...

The Travel HoodiePillow is for the movers and shakers of the world - this time the hood is attached to an inflatable neck pillow.

Perfect for those on the go - but who still need their comfort - the travel HoodiePillow comes with drawstrings similar to the non-travel version, to draw the pillow snugly around the neck, and hide your sleep-face from any fellow passengers.

With both pillows under $25, and available in a range of colours, sleeping on the go can be done in comfort and true modern style...

Protect Your Home From Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs, once nearly extinct, they have been on the rise around the world in the last few decades.
Bed bugs thrive on human blood, live in any environment where people live - clean, dirty, and otherwise, as long as there is blood, the bugs aren't fussed. Bed bugs can cause Asthma attacks, allergies, and even anaphylaxis, and their bites are red and itchy, though they do not carry any infectious disease.

Barely bigger than an apple pip, bed bugs can be found all around the home - not just the bed.

Know What To Expect

If there is no sign of the bed bugs themselves, it can be tricky detecting them. Keep an eye out for these sure-fire giveaways....

Small red, or brown spots on the sheets, mattress, or around the bed 

Itchy red spots on the skin, that were not there before bed.

Any blood stains on bedding

A musty odour detectable around the bedding

Know Where To Find Them

If you suspect you have bed bugs, the first thing to do is get out the magnifying glass and have a good old fashioned bug-hunt.
Bed bugs are small and flat in shape - around the size of an apple pip. They tend to seek out warm places, that are habituated frequently by people so they can get their supply of food. Get looking!

Beds
Remove the mattress from the frame, and check all tufts, seams, and folds in the fabric where the bugs can be hiding. Check along the frame, in all nooks and crannies. Bed Bugs prefer wooden and fabric beds to metal or plastic, so check these ones even more meticulously. Remember to check the underside of all surfaces too, as well as the headboard and foot end. Sheets and pillows should be checked for any dark spots of blood, and can be washed at a high temperature.

Furniture
Drawers are a favourite of bed bugs. Remove drawers and check all surfaces for any signs of dark spots, eggs, or bugs.
Sofas, chairs, and furnishings can all hide bed bugs, so these should all be inspected. Carpets and Curtains can also
Wall Fixtures
Pictures, light fittings, nooks and crannies ... bed bugs just love walls. A host of hiding places, a source of heat and often overlooked by bedbug hunters - walls are the bed bugs heaven. Look low and high for signs of bugs, paying attention to the skirting board.

The Unexpected
Bed bugs can sometimes take refuge in less conventional places, such as laptops, on pipes, and around electrics  The warmth from these items attracts the crazy little mites.

Steam cleaning can be an effective method of keeping bed bugs at bay.

Know How To Get Rid Of Them

So whether you need to rid the beasts or just want to keep your home bug-free, make sure you check out the following tips to prevent, and defend from infestations.

• A good mattress protector is essential from preventing the bed bugs entering the mattress, where they can be harder to reach.
• Wash all bedding on a high setting - the hot temperature rids the bugs and the eggs too.
• Vacuum furniture, carpets, and upholstery to rid bugs and eggs.
• Steam clean all places which can be. Curtains, carpets, beds, and furniture can all benefit from steam cleaning, with the same effects of a good wash - ridding both bugs and eggs.
• There are a range of bedbug eliminators on the market, including traps, sprays and powders.

Two New Mattressman Stores In London!

Our Norwich store in Roundtree Way... we're branching out!

May is a month of exciting beginnings here at Mattressman, as we take our first steps into the London bedding world, and prepare for the opening of not one, but two new stores!

Stores give a different experience to shopping online - if you have store near you then you have an extra advantage of trying out that mattress that you have your eye on, or maybe even giving something a bit different a whirl.
Stores are perfect for those curious about Memory Foam or Latex, as with most things, you just have to experience it to believe it!

Our first store in Ilford opens on the 11th of May, in Newbury Park, IG2 7SH.

Our other store will be open on the 27th of May in Chingford, Deacon Industrial Estate, E4 8QF.

If you are in the area, feel free to come and say "Hi" to Mattressman, chat to the store staff and have a bounce on our beds!


For more info on opening times, see our stores page.

How To Keep Cool In The Summer

The summer's on it's way, which means warmer nights, and time to banish the warm woolies to the back of the wardrobe,

Getting to sleep as the temperature rises can be hard. Warming up when your cold in the winter is easily done, but keeping cool and comfortable in the summer months can be more of a struggle.

So why not make things a bit easier for yourself this year, and spend a bit of time preparing your bedroom for the hotter months?

The first thing you need to do is assess what you already have, and what it's good for. If you have a fabulously thick and warm duvet perfect for winter, but which gets too much in the summer, it could be worth investing in a summer duvet.

Any extra sheets or throws should be removed, to prevent too much heat being trapped.
Materials like cotton are perfect for absorbing humid air, so if your pillowcase or sheet is a polyester, swap it for a cotton or polycotton blend.

Tog is a measurement of duvet thickness, with 3 being the coolest, and 15 the warmest.

Duvets with SMART fabrics such as Tencel and Suprelle have increased absorbency and breathability - a Summer duvet from B Nott boasts a moisture uptake of 57% more than a regular duvet, meaning an amazingly cool and fresh bed.

So if you find yourself kicking off wooly blankets in favour of something a bit lighter, why not check out our duvet range to find the perfect bedcovers for the summer.

To browse our range, click here & select 'Summer' season from the drop down menu.