Beds and Matressess Direct of Hereford provide quality beds, mattresses and bedroom furniture. We are a family business dedicated to ensuring our customers get a good night's sleep.

Service is a high priority for us, and we have many letters of recommendation from satisfied customers vouching for our integrity and high standards (the original letters can be found in our showroom, and in the Testimonials section of this site).

We have compiled a 'bed book' on how to get a better night's rest, and what to do about things that prevent us from getting a good night's sleep. To start receiving a FREE page every 2 weeks, register in the 'Contact Us' section!

Sleep tips and advice

Relax your mind

Some people find that lavender oil, valerian or other herbs help them sleep. You could try massage or aromatherapy.

Try to relax before going to bed. Have a warm bath or listen to some quiet music.  All these help to relax mind and body.

Deal with worries or a heavy workload by making lists of things to be tackled the next day.

If you can't sleep, don't lie there worrying about it. Get up and do something you find relaxing until you feel sleepy again.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is a great way to improve sleep. Just be careful not to do it close to bed time as exercise produces stimulants that stop the brain from relaxing quickly.

Create a calm bedroom environment

Your bedroom should be for sleep only. Avoid turning it into an entertainment centre with televisions, computers and stereos.

Create a restful sleeping environment. Your bedroom should be kept for rest and sleep and it should be neither too hot nor too cold, and as quiet and dark as possible.

Make sure your bed is comfortable. It's difficult to get deep, restful sleep on one that's too soft, too hard, too small or too old.

Avoid alcohol

It's fine to have a nightcap, but too much alcohol can make you restless. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which means it encourages you to urinate (never welcomed during the night).

Drinking is also more likely to lead to snoring, which can restrict airflow into the lungs. This reduces oxygen in your blood which disturbs your sleep and contributes to your hangover.  Alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, but will interrupt your sleep later on in the night

Avoid caffeine and cigarettes

Cut down on stimulants such as caffeine in tea or coffee, especially in the evening. They interfere with falling asleep and prevent deep sleep. Have a hot milky drink or herbal tea instead

Don't smoke. Yes, it's bad for sleep too.  Smokers take longer to fall asleep, wake more often and experience sleep disruption more frequently.

Watch what you eat

Foods containing tyramine (bacon, cheese, ham, aubergines, pepperoni, raspberries avocado, nuts, soy sauce, red wine) might keep you awake at night. Tyramine causes the release of norepinephrine, a brain stimulant.

If you get the munchies close to bedtime, eat something that triggers the hormone serotonin, which makes you sleepy (carbs such as bread or cereal).

"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one"  LEO J BURKE