Vernon Kay has revealed his secret to a good night’s sleep, especially when faced with distracting background noise.
With World Sleep Day landing on March 14, BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon told listeners he preferred falling asleep with some sort of noise in his ear, rather than in a silent room.
Discussing sleep habits with a colleague, she began by saying she required “complete silence” to sleep, while her partner easily drifted off to noise from the television or while listening to podcasts. This confession led Vernon to respond: “Yep, that’s me.”
The 50-year-old presenter elaborated that there’s a specific type of sound he finds helpful for sleeping in noisier environments, particularly in hotels with inevitable disturbances.
On his mid-morning programme, Vernon continued: “However, I do like, in particular when I’m in a hotel and there’s doors slamming and there’s a lot of moving about, I do like you know the music you hear when you go into a spa? Like chimes and stuff like that.”
He added that he plays such sounds in the background as they help distract him, and lead to a good night’s sleep.
This appears to be vital for Vernon, who previously claimed that he didn’t need an alarm clock thanks to his wife Tess Daly.
In an exchange with Zoe Ball earlier in the year, she asked if he was the kind to jump out of bed energetically once the alarm went off.
Vernon replied saying his mornings usually start with “a dig” from Tess, famed for hosting Strictly Come Dancing.
He joked: “I have Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly roll over and go, ‘It’s time to get up’, with a dig of the elbow, ‘Come on, get up’.”
His former co-star quipped in response: “Oh, you’re a lucky man! Living the dream Vernon Kay, honestly.”
Tips on how to sleep better
According to the NHS, there are many that can help you sleep better. Practical tips include:
- Having a good sleep routine, which should include having a set time to start winding down – and a way to relax is important too
- Relax, unwind and try meditation to help you sleep and avoid screen time at least an hour before bed
- If anxiety, stress or worries keep you awake, set aside time before bed to make a to-do list for the next day – this can be a good way to put your mind at rest
- Create the right sleep environment, it’s generally easier to drop off when the room is quiet, dark and cool – although it’s important to find the best way that suits you
- If you’re lying awake unable to sleep, do no not try to force it. Instead, get up and sit in a comfy place and do something relaxing, like reading a book or listening to quiet music until you feel sleepier
- Improving sleep through diet and exercise – a healthy balanced diet and regular physical exercise can help us to relax and get better sleep
- Avoid eating larger meals, caffeine, nicotine and alcohol up to two hours before bed time, these are stimulants that make us more alert. Stimulants are a common cause of sleep problems