To some people it's a bit of a joke. For many, it's the source of endless nights of frustration. We're talking, of course, about snoring.

If you're a snorer, or your nightly sleep is ruined by sharing a bed with someone who snores, you might be interested to note that 25th - 29th April is National Stop Snoring Week.

This annual event by the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association aims to promote awareness of snoring and the idea that nobody has to suffer. So we thought we'd take this opportunity to look at some natural remedies for snoring.

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It's January, and alongside all your other dreams for 2016, one of your resolutions will probably be that this is the year you're going to lose weight and get fit.

But did you know that getting enough sleep each night can really help with your fitness goals?

Which means having a lie in instead of an early morning gym session is actually better for you! Well, maybe not...

However, according to research, people who get around 8 hours sleep a night can reduce their stress levels and have double the chance of slimming down, alongside many other health benefits.

The Research

According to a study carried out by researchers from Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland US, people who had less than six hours sleep or more than eight hours sleep per day were less likely to lose weight. The results support previous research linking sleep problems to obesity.

However, this does not mean that a poor sleep pattern directly causes obesity, but if a candidate wasn't getting enough sleep, it was harder for them to stick to their weight loss programme.

Lack of sleep can trigger a hormonal reaction which results in an intake of energy-dense food – usually high carb and high sugar foods, which become a “coping behaviour”.

We've all been too tired to cook a healthy meal and reached for a takeaway menu instead, or needed an energy boost so grabbed a chocolate bar or energy drink. Once or twice alongside a healthy lifestyle is fine, but if you constantly find yourself doing this, that is where the problem starts.

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Everyone knows that you need sleep. And there are few better feelings in life than sinking into a comfortable bed after a long and tiring day.

But for many people, sleep isn't a priority. The thing is, it should be. There are many health benefits of sleep, so not getting enough can take its toll on your body.

We've pulled back the covers on some of the key advantages of sleep, by looking at some studies and scientific evidence that support each claim.

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If you work shifts, you probably know how hard it can be to sleep. You might well have suffered from lack of sleep, or at least found yourself struggling to nod off when it's bright daylight outside.

What you might not realise is that there's actually a real condition associated with shift work and sleep patterns. It's called Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD), and it can be a nightmare (excuse the pun) for anyone who suffers.

If you regularly find yourself unable to sleep, or you're simply a shift worker looking for some tips on how to sleep better and avoid SWSD, this is the post for you.

Keep reading to find out what the signs of Shift Work Sleep Disorder are, who's most at risk, and how you can avoid it.

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When was the last time you replaced your bed or mattress? Many of us buy one, and then rarely think about ever replacing it.

But did you know that an old bed can actually be damaging to your health and well-being? Thankfully there are a number of clues that can help you decide when the time is right for a new bed...

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Do you ever struggle to sleep and then find yourself constantly tired later in the week? If so, you're not the only one. It's a common thing – called sleep debt.

But what is sleep debt, what are the effects it can have on your body, and how can you recover?

This article is designed to explore the myths and facts surrounding sleep debt, and to offer some useful tips for repaying your debt.

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Do you find that your lack of sleep causes anxiety? That you lie awake at night worrying about things when you should be sleeping? You're not alone.

But what if we told you that there was a simple sleep hack to reduce your worrying and anxiety? Good news; there is. And in this post we're going to show you exactly how to do it.

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There's nothing worse than spending a night in bed tossing and turning. And when you wake the next morning, you have to face a long day at work or school feeling tired, groggy and probably a little bit grumpy.

But don't worry – if you find it difficult to sleep at night, check out this comprehensive range of sleep tips for a better rest!

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That time of year is looming again. As the calendar flips over onto September, groans of discontent echo around the country as the nation's children get ready for the new school year.

For parents, the challenge lies in preparing kids and getting them back into a healthy routine; and that includes a regular bedtime.

But why do children require good sleep patterns? How much sleep do kids need? How can you help them to get the required amount?

This guide is designed to help get your children back into a good routine, whilst also highlighting the importance of sleep for kids.

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We're a funny bunch, us Brits. If we're not complaining about the lack of a summer, we're moaning that it's too hot.

In fairness, while the weather of late has produced some blistering temperatures, it does present a number of difficulties. One of the biggest problems people have faced is sleep. Just how do you get a good night's rest when it's so humid and warm?

Well, aside from pitching up a tent in your back garden as part of a drastic plan to escape the furnace that is your bedroom, there are a few steps you could try to make things more comfortable at night.

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