A product guide outlines five main mattress types: hybrid, innerspring, memory foam, latex and smart beds. It explains that hybrids combine foam or latex layers with a coil system. Memory foam contours closely to the body but can trap heat, while latex offers more airflow and a springier feel. Smart beds let users adjust firmness with a remote or app. The guide also advises that many modern mattresses do not need a box spring and that most last about seven to 10 years.
Georgie Dent, chief executive of the parent advocacy group The Parenthood, told the National Press Club that Australian parents need 814 more hours of care a year. The column describes working mothers who rise in the middle of the night to finish work, exercise or have quiet time before their families wake. The writer tried the routine, setting a 4 am alarm, and says it gave her an uninterrupted start to the day. She adds that women should not have to give up sleep to manage their lives.
A new Australian study suggests about one in four people with severe, recurrent or persistent depression may have circadian depression, a proposed subtype linked to the body's internal clock. Researchers say people with it often describe themselves as night owls or wake up very tired. Lead researcher Emiliana Tonini said the findings could help give people earlier access to the treatments most likely to work for them. The study found these patients reported more severe symptoms and may have a different genetic profile. Experts say more research is needed before it could be used in clinical practice.
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Australian researchers have identified a new subtype of depression, called circadian depression, linked to disruptions in the body's internal clock. The study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, found it affected about 23 per cent of 11,380 participants, mostly with severe and recurrent depression. Those with the subtype were less responsive to common antidepressants, so the researchers suggest treatments such as melatonin and light therapy may help. Lead author Dr Emiliana Tonini said the subtype appears to have a distinct biology, not simply poor sleep. Some outside experts described the findings as interesting but preliminary.
Children who drink a couple of cans of caffeinated soft drinks a week may face a higher risk of later emotional and behavioural difficulties, a study suggests. Researchers from King's College London tracked more than 9,600 children aged nine to 11. Those consuming more caffeine tended to sleep less and showed more signs of anxiety and depression. Brain scans also showed small differences in areas linked to learning and memory. The researchers stressed the study does not prove caffeine causes these problems.
Mosquitoes can keep people awake, but two simple methods can help find and catch one in a bedroom without spray. The first involves turning off the lights, leaving one small light on, and using a torch to scan walls once the insect lands. The second involves lying down with a phone screen on the chest, since the light and breath can draw the mosquito closer. Other options include plug-in repellers, fans, and a homemade trap made from a plastic bottle.
Eating well may help students study during exam time. Salmon contains omega-3 fats, which are linked to stable mood and lower stress. Spinach, blueberries, walnuts and eggs are also described as beneficial for concentration and memory. Regular snacks and breakfast are suggested to keep energy steady during long study sessions. Sleep, avoiding smoking and vaping, and limiting alcohol are also recommended for brain health.
Melatonin supplements are a synthetic version of a hormone that regulates sleep. They can help with jet lag and shift work, but not chronic insomnia. In Australia, pharmacists can supply controlled-release tablets for short-term sleep problems in people aged 55 and over, and immediate-release products for jet lag. Side effects are generally minor and short-lived, but driving after taking melatonin may affect attention and reaction time.
