Old demons of snoring and money keep us up

ALMOST one in ten British adults still go to bed with their teddy bear and more than 70 per cent believe they do not get enough sleep, according to a new survey.

A poll of 3,000 adults found a third of women blamed their partner hogging the duvet for their disturbed sleep and 54 per cent were kept awake by his snoring.

However, 21 per cent of women still regularly get more than eight hours’ sleep, compared with just 14 per cent of men.

The survey, commissioned by the furnishing store Ikea, found 57 per cent of people lie awake worrying about work or money.

Ten per cent said they checked work e-mails, 6 per cent wake up their partner if they cannot sleep, 26 per cent listening to soothing music, while 18 per cent believe sex could help.

Sleep expert Jim Horne believes British reserve could be keeping us up at night.

He said: “I’ve always been puzzled why people spend so little time choosing a bed when they are going to spend maybe a third of their daily lives in such close contact with it.

“During sleep the body relaxes, so it’s important that when choosing a mattress one takes time to test it properly.”