68 h. ago Michael Rosen’s guide to having a happier day: listen to music, get a good night’s sleep ... and add raisins to ice

Philip Larkin wrote that ‘days are where we live’. Even in the bleakest of times, there are things you can do to improve yours. Former children’s laureate Rosen has some suggestions It hardly needs saying but I’ll say it anyway: we live in hard times. Things that some of us thought could and should have been solved haven’t been solved. Things that some of us thought would show signs of progress haven’t progressed. In many ways, wherever we look – locally, nationally or globally – there are things that have got worse. I don’t need to list them.I’m going to make a big claim: we can’t do anything about the things that bring us down if we are oppressed and depressed by them. We have to have hope. We need to be hopeful creatures in order to live. No matter how much events seem to point towards despair, telling us to be pessimistic, I think we have to find strategies and techniques to be hopeful. In spite of everything, we have to find reasons to go on. As someone once put it in a book, “...

Politics

3 d. ago The best mattress toppers for a more comfortable night’s sleep, tested

Whether you’re looking for memory foam, wool, cooling or firm, we reveal the toppers we rate – and whether they can really rescue a bad mattress• The best mattresses: sleep better with our seven rigorously tested picksA mattress topper is like a slice of cheese in a burger: not strictly necessary, but potentially transformative, especially if your bed has all the cosiness of stale bread. Strap a comfy topper on to a hard mattress and it could transform the quality of your sleep at significantly less cost than a new mattress.That’s the promise, anyway. In my neverending quest for a decent night’s kip, I slept on eight bestselling toppers – not all at once, Princess and the Pea style, but for a few nights, each on top of a firm mattress. I was surprised to find so many topper types available, from thick slabs of memory foam to airy cloudbanks of hollowfibre, with one even containing springs.Best mattress topper overall: Simba Hybrid TopperBest budget mattress topperSilentnight Airmax ...

Politics

4 d. ago Can't sleep at night? Fitness trackers are fuelling exhausting sleep disorder, experts warn

Trendy sleep trackers are fuelling an increase in cases of orthosomnia-an obsession with sleeping correctly, experts claimed today.

Events

5 d. ago The simple habits that science says will make young people happier

Eating more fruit and vegetables could also mitigate the negative impact of a poor night’s sleep

Politics

6 d. ago The ultimate guide to the bedding that will give you the perfect night's sleep, revealed by impartial experts: The best bed linen colour and thread count, top pillow and exactly how to buy a mattress

Britain's sleep has never been worse. Study after study finds we are sleeping for shorter periods with, in many cases, poor quality rest to boot.

Science

6 d. ago The daily habit that could boost mental wellbeing in young people

Eating more fruit and vegetables could also mitigate the negative impact of a poor night’s sleep

Politics

6 d. ago Comfortable mattress with 30% off is 'best purchase I've made in years'

The Silentnight Miracoil Mattress has been designed to deliver support to the whole body and ensures a perfect night's sleep

Politics

1 week ago The exercise that will give you the best night’s sleep, according to a meta review of studies

Benefits could be seen within 8 to 10 weeks, researchers say

Events

1 week ago 'Simba launches flash sale with £500 off my favourite mattress that keeps me cool'

As the proud owner of a Simba mattress, I think that they are worth every penny. Now shoppers can save 20% in a flash Bank Holiday sale but deals end on Monday

Economics

1 week ago Home Bargains slashes £28 night oil for 'deep, restful sleep' to £2

The discount retailer has reduced the price of the 'replenishing' and 'restoring' £28 oil

Economics

2 w. ago Mattress that helps with back pain now £248 off with free bedding included

REM-Fit's Hybrid Mattress is praised for comfort, cooling and easing back pain

Economics

2 w. ago Dunelm 'cooling' duvet cover gets 50% slash as shopper has the 'best night sleep'

'These cooling duvet covers are really great and actually keep you cool in bed during these hot humid nights.'

Politics

2 w. ago Mattress that helps with back pain is now £248 cheaper and comes with free bedding

REM-Fit's Hybrid Mattress is praised for comfort, cooling and easing back pain

Economics

2 w. ago Netflix adds 'outstanding' crime series with 96% Rotten Tomatoes score as fans beg for fourth season

Netflix has recently added a new three-season long crime drama which is so good it has viewers skipping sleep to "binge it all night".

Sport

2 w. ago The fruit that can play a key role in getting a better night’s sleep

Better sleep is linked to a decreased risk of heart disease, among other cardiovascular conditions

Politics

2 w. ago Surprising habit warned to make you 'feel even hotter in a heatwave'

As the UK is hit by another heatwave, many Brits will be struggling to get a good night's sleep - but experts have warned that ditching your pyjamas might not help

Events

2 w. ago Eating this surprising fruit might be the key to getting a better night’s sleep

Better sleep is linked to a decreased risk of heart disease, among other cardiovascular conditions

Politics

2 w. ago Best nightwear for menopausal sleep struggles and one fabric that makes flushes worse

Sleeping through menopause? These cooling nightwear picks can help - and one fabric to avoid

Politics

2 w. ago 10 best pregnancy pillows that provide support and help ease back pain

Finally get a good night’s sleep with a pregnancy pillow that comforts your growing bump and aching back

Politics

2 w. ago 13 best duvets in 2025, tried and tested by our sleep expert

I snoozed to find the best duvets for every season, so you can have better night’s sleep

Politics