Can't sleep?

We all know that we're meant to get 8 hours of sleep a night, but sometimes that's just impossible to manage - even despite our best efforts. And while there's all kinds of tricks and tips out there that promise to help us nod off even quicker, scientists have found that woollen pyjamas may be the most effective method yet. Yes, you read that correctly. According to Sky News, Australian scientists have determined that the body can remain in the "thermal comfort zone" that is most helpful to a restful sleep by wearing wool. The study found that students in their 20s got to sleep four minutes faster when they were wearing pyjamas made of merino wool instead of cotton, taking 11 minutes to nod off instead of 15. They also got an extra seven minutes of sleep a night. Meanwhile, adults between the ages of 65 and 70 fell asleep after just 12 minutes when they were wearing woollen pyjamas - as opposed to the 222 to 27 minutes it took for those wearing polyester or cotton. Researcher Dr Paul Swan, from the University of Sydney, said:

"Not so long ago sleeping under wool bedding was the norm, and science is now rediscovering the benefits of sleeping in wool. "Maybe it is not a coincidence because wool regulates your body temperature far better, keeping you in what is known as 'the thermal comfort zone'. "You therefore not only fall asleep quicker, sleep longer, but also have deeper, better quality sleep. "Enjoying good sleep has become increasingly difficult in modern times, and so anything that helps is great for your mental and physical health."