According to recent research on Britain’s bedtime habits, Mancunians are apparently the most sleep deprived anywhere in the country this month.
Carried out by botanical experts Cannabotech, who used YouGov survey results and search data on the nations sleeping patterns and nighttime habits from the last five years, they found that not only is January the hardest time of year to get a good night’s rest, but Mancs are seemingly the worst suffering.
Pulling data for Google Keywords Explorer and Google Trends, researchers found that Greater Manchester reported the highest influx of sleep-related search terms per capita at the start of the year.
“Absolutely knackered” is a pretty standard response whenever you ask how your co-workers are doing on Monday morning but, come to think of it, feeling almost permanently tired does feel very ‘January’.
As mentioned, it’s not just this January either, (I mean, we’re only a fortnight into 2023): half a decade’s worth of sleep-deprived search data and adjacent survey results show that at leasttwo in five Mancunians don’t get enough sleepinthe first month of the year.
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When it comes to troubleshooting why you’re struggling to nod off, our lot rank among the highestfor searching things like ‘insomnia’, ‘sleep music’ and ‘sleeping pills’ — all of which are at their highest at the start of the year.
The NHS recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night, but according to the data, just over half (56%) of the population manage to enjoy that amount in January.
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This leaves two-fifths (44%) of people in the region not getting enough rest at the start of the year, which the NHS says can lead to various short and long-term health problems, including increased stress, memory issues and a weak immune system.
What about the rest of the UK’s sleep stats?
Post-Christmas fatigue no doubt plays a part in the sleep struggles but as for why us Mancs are the worst affected, who knows? For now, let’s just chalk it up to solid graft.
As for the rest of Britain, Lancaster and East Kilbride are some of the better sleepers, reporting the lowest search volume of search terms relating to sleeping issues per-capita. Conversely, here are the top 10 most sleep deprived places across the nation:
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Manchester
Bristol
Reading
Liverpool
Birmingham
Preston
Newcastle upon Tyne
Nottingham
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Approximately 1% of the UK’s adult population (roughly 528,889 people) get just one hour of sleep per night in January. Now that’s a grim thought.
Google’s data shows that lots of Brits aren’t happy with their sleep throughout the year; wider search queries include ‘insomnia’, ‘why can’t I sleep’, ‘sleep music’, ‘sleep remedies’ and ‘sleeping pills’ — all of which peak in January.
How to beat the January blues and sleep better
So how can people try and get more shut-eye? Well, while you may know a lot of this already, Cannobotech recommends the following:
Support your immune system
In winter as colds circulate, it’s important to strengthen your immune system in order to limit sleep disruption. Stay hydrated, eat plenty of Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies, and although it’s tempting to stay inside when it’s cold, physical exercise is important — you can always get a workout in at home.
Maintain a set schedule
Those drawn-out dark evenings can make it hard to switch off. Regardless, try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time all year, as this will make it easier for your body to recognise when it’s time for bed. You can also invest in natural light bulbs and other forms of light therapy to make the transition easier.
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Keep stress levels low
Keeping stress levels low before bed will improve your sleep quality massively. Ways to do this include avoiding screens and winding down at least an hour before your planned bedtime, as well as setting time aside to journal or get any worries or concerns you have off your chest so they don’t keep you up.
Sleep deprivation isn’t just a pain in the arse, it can turn into a genuine health risk and lead to further problems down the line, so let’s make 2023 a better year for sleep.
If you’re struggling to get your head down, be sure to take these tips on board and we hope you get some proper kip soon.
Antony labelled ‘classless’ and ’embarrassing’ for celebrations after Man United’s penalty shootout win against Coventry
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Antony has been labelled “classless”, “embarrassing” and plenty worse following his celebrations after the Red Devils’ slim FA Cup semi-final win on penalties against Coventry City.
The Brazilian winger has been a divisive figure ever since he arrived at Old Trafford, with most arguing that the club have seen nowhere enough for his hefty price tag, not to mention that moments like his trademark spinning has served as little more than a meme at Man United‘s expense.
However, it’s his behaviour both on and off the pitch that has also made him an unlikeable figure this season. Being embroiled in an ongoing domestic assault case certainly has only exacerbated his public image but it was his latest viral moment against Coventry that has now irked even more people.
United managed to blow a 3-0 lead against the Championship side on Sunday, allowing the Sky Blues to push them all the way to penalties following a catastrophic 19-minute collapse (by no means the first this year), but it was Antony’s reaction after surviving the shootout that has left people countless arguing.
These are the celebrations Antony is being criticised for as United secured their place in the FA Cup final for the second year in a row.
Several supporters, Reds included, have come out to criticise the celebrations from Antony, who decided to direct his taunts towards the opposition who shone at Wembley from start to finish even after the heartbreaking twist of fate in what was a truly epic comeback.
While there has been plenty of controversy surrounding the game – Coventry’s last-minute penalty to tie the game and what they thought was the winner only for it to be ruled in a ridiculously tight offside, just to name a couple – there can be no question as to it going down as an FA Cup classic.
All that being said, despite the game being a dramatic delight for the neutral, Antony’s ear-cupping after Rasmus Højlund scored the winning penalty has left many with a sour taste in their mouth and his reputation dented even further.
The backlash on social media has been pretty vocal, with the 24-year-old branded as everything from “shameless”, “embarrassing” and “a disgrace” to “everything wrong with modern football”; one person even went so far as to label him “the most hateable player” in the sport. Yep, not a very popular bloke.
This feels like the defining image of Ten Hag’s reign. Antony — a player United’s scouts rated at £25m but Ten Hag insisted the club paid £85m for, with only two goals and one assist all season — cupping his ears to the Coventry players/fans after a game like that. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/odpG1hKgXU
There are too many tweets to count when it comes to the debate Antony has sparked.
Although the vast majority have come out to condemn it as needless showboating, perceiving it as unnecessary salt in the wound to those already hurting in the stands, there are some dismissing the celebrations as simply part of the game.
Fan account Stretford Post wrote: “I have no issue with what Antony did, so what, he loves the game and loves to win, it’s emotional and we all let ourselves go sometimes. Accept the man’s personality and stop the agenda.”
That being said, it’s fair to say the chaotic ending to the game gave the bulk of Man United fans in the stadium and watching home much to fully celebrate given the nature of their capitulation and even some of his teammates on the pitch looked reticent to run over to excitedly to Højlund after he scored.
ln fact, both captain Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire – who went straight to commiserate the Coventry players after the final penalty – were quick to acknowledge how fortunate they were to scrape through in the end, simply boiling it down a season-defining statement: “We have to do much better”.
🗣️ "Last-minute penalty… It's so harsh, his arm is down by his side."
Be it naivety or just getting swept in the spirit of a crucial FA Cup final-securing penalty shootout, the celebrations by Antony haven’t gone down well with many fans or pundits.
Former United and fellow winger Lee Sharpe told talkSPORT that while his age may have been a factor, he deemed the reaction “out of order” given how close his team came to bottling it. What did you make of the moment: perfectly acceptable given the circumstances or needless and ’embarrassing’?
It will now be a Manchester derby FA Cup final for the second year running and, one thing’s for sure, Erik ten Hag’s side can’t afford to make that many mistakes against Man City.
You can watch the highlights from the frantic semi-final down below but, the better question is, which half of Manchester is going to leave with their hands on the trophy on 25 May?
Featured Images — BBC Sport/@MatthewStanger (via X)
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‘Not just for mums’ – Iceland drops iconic slogan after more than 50 years
Emily Sergeant
Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years, and has finally admitted that it’s “not just for mums”.
We all know that “that’s why mums go to Iceland” is one of the most famous slogans in British retail history… but, as of last week, more than 50 years since it was first uttered on TV, Iceland has decided to say farewell to the iconic phrase.
The headline-grabbing move is thought to be the supermarket‘s bid to become more inclusive, as it has cited the decades-old tagline as “outdated”.
Iceland’s first use of ‘mum’ in its’ marketing campaigns was all the way back in 1970 with the phrase “Mums love it”, before it was slightly changed to “Mum’s gone to Iceland” in 1988 ahead of its expansion into Europe in 1991.
Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years / Credit: Iceland Foods
Then finally, in 2004, the frozen food retailer introduced its now most-iconic strapline, “So that’s why mums go to Iceland”, to coincide with introducing celebrity pop star Kerry Katona as the new face of its TV advertisements.
But now, as part of its latest advertising campaign, the world ‘mum’ has been dropped once and for all in favour of the altered tagline “That’s why we go to Iceland.
Explaining its decision to part way with its use of ‘mums’, Iceland’s Executive Chairman Richard Walker commented: “Iceland’s always been number one with mums, but the reality is, people from all walks of life, and life stage, choose to shop with us. That includes everyone from students and seniors, to single-parent families, mums, dads, and fitness enthusiasts.
“We’re a Great British institution, and open to all.”
Alongside the new slogan, Iceland is continuing its tradition of appointing celebrity mums as the face of the company.
TV presenter Josie Gibson has landed the role of the supermarket’s new ambassador.
“With her famous warmth and positivity, Josie is the perfect person to encapsulate the friendly welcome all our customers receive at Iceland,” Mr Walker continued, adding that the retailer is “delighted to have her onboard”.
Danny Jones -
13th January 2023 
