Lack of sleep is a reality all parents have to face -but how families respond to it varies wildly. We invited the unstoppable Candice Brathwaite - writer, influencer and founder of the brilliant Make Motherhood Diverse - to chat sleep training, adjusting to constantly changing schedules, carving out time for yourself, recovering from challenging life events and dealing with the emotional load of being a very, very tired parent.

Sleep Life

Family with Candice Brathwaite

In this bonus episode, Simba have hopped under the sheets with writer Claire Storrow, to present the first in a series of snooze-worthy stories, designed specifically to help you get to sleep. Research has shown that when you read a great story, your brain actually engages in trying to experience what you're reading: the colours, the scents, the emotions. By doing so you start to engage the visual centres of your brain and turn down the volume on the analytical bit - the pre-frontal cortex. So instead of feeling 'tired but wired' you can start to move towards readiness for sleep and creative dreaming. Simba’s resident sleep psychologist Hope Bastine explains more at the start of the podcast. So tuck in and get ready to get serious about sleep - and seriously chilled out. The Cabin, written by Claire Storrow and read by Jennifer Bequarm.

Sleep Story: Rockabye Lullaby

What does it mean to be creative? Can dreams unlock our potential? And is it possible to make a living out of creativity and still get your eight hours a night? We put all these questions and more to a man who has lived and breathed creativity over a career so rich and varied he was knighted for it: Sir John Hegarty. The advertising genius sat down to talk about his experiences leading creative powerhouse Bartle Bogle Hegarty (better known as BBH), the changes he’s seen in creative culture and why he thinks creatives should be fearless - but he doesn’t like risk.

Creativity with Sir John Hegarty

Sleep Story: Room for One

Is your partner ruining your sleep life? 45% of over 1,000 UK sleepers we surveyed told us their partner was an obstacle to getting a good night’s sleep - and not in a good way. So we thought we’d hop between the sheets with someone who lives and breathes relationships from a creative point of view: author Jenny Colgan. The bestselling romance and sci fi writer shared her thoughts on coordinating sleep schedules, insomnia and bedroom bugbears - and somehow we also got on the topics of sleep paralysis, recurrent dreams and the horror of encountering a sleepwalking child wandering around a Scottish castle...

Relationships with Jenny Colgan

Sleep Story: The Cabin

Why are we working harder and longer than ever - but achieving less? The author of Rest: Why You Get More Done When Your Work Less, dropped by to discuss it with us. Alex Soojung-Kim Pang reckons we’ve started to think of rest and work as opposites - when actually they’re reliant on each other. We unpicked the details of what ‘rest’ really means, why sleep is so important to creativity and productivity and why the next big thing in our working lives could be the four day week.

Productivity with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

In this bonus episode, Simba have hopped under the sheets with writer Claire Storrow, to present the first in a series of snooze-worthy stories, designed specifically to help you get to sleep. Research has shown that when you read a great story, your brain actually engages in trying to experience what you're reading: the colours, the scents, the emotions. By doing so you start to engage the visual centres of your brain and turn down the volume on the analytical bit - the pre-frontal cortex. So instead of feeling 'tired but wired' you can start to move towards readiness for sleep and creative dreaming. Simba’s resident sleep psychologist Hope Bastine explains more at the start of the podcast. So tuck in and get ready to get serious about sleep - and seriously chilled out. Mysterious Message of the Moon, written by Claire Storrow and read by Raj Ghatak.

Sleep Story: The Mysterious Message of the Moon

What can we learn about sleep from elite athletes? As official sleep partner to Saracens RFC, we were privileged to invite Saracens and England player Alex Lozowski and performance coach Tom Sherriff into the studio to find out. For sports professionals, sleep is part of the recipe for success. With increased scrutiny on treating it as an essential activity alongside training and nutrition, we chatted about how to put the right level of emphasis on it without piling on the pressure, the best time to take a nap and how to cope on the road when you’re a strapping lad squeezed into a single bed.

Sport with Saracens RFC

In this bonus episode, Simba have hopped under the sheets with writer Claire Storrow, to present the first in a series of snooze-worthy stories, designed specifically to help you get to sleep. Research has shown that when you read a great story, your brain actually engages in trying to experience what you're reading: the colours, the scents, the emotions. By doing so you start to engage the visual centres of your brain and turn down the volume on the analytical bit - the pre-frontal cortex. So instead of feeling 'tired but wired' you can start to move towards readiness for sleep and creative dreaming. Simba’s resident sleep psychologist Hope Bastine explains more at the start of the podcast. So tuck in and get ready to get serious about sleep - and seriously chilled out. Nourishing the Soul, written by Claire Storrow and read by Raj Ghatak.

Sleep Story: Nourishing the Soul

Sleep Life is back with some more thoughts to chew on as Dr Sara Kayat joins the team to talk all things food and sleep. A GP in a busy practice who also makes regular appearances on the likes of This Morning, The Wright Stuff and GPs Behind Closed Doors, Dr Sara has a devoted Instagram following with whom she shares her thoughts about wellness trends and the latests health research. Sleep Life host Georgie Barrat and Simba's Alex Goldstein invited her in to talk sleep hormones, getting into good habits and the wonders of tart cherry juice.

Nutrition with Dr Sara Kayat

In this bonus episode, Simba have hopped under the sheets with writer Claire Storrow, to present the first in a series of snooze-worthy stories, designed specifically to help you get to sleep. Research has shown that when you read a great story, your brain actually engages in trying to experience what you're reading: the colours, the scents, the emotions. By doing so you start to engage the visual centres of your brain and turn down the volume on the analytical bit - the pre-frontal cortex. So instead of feeling 'tired but wired' you can start to move towards readiness for sleep and creative dreaming. Simba’s resident sleep psychologist Hope Bastine explains more at the start of the podcast. So tuck in and get ready to get serious about sleep - and seriously chilled out. Essence of Holiday, written by Claire Storrow and read by Raj Ghatak.

Sleep Story: Essence of Holiday

For the first ever episode of our brand new podcast, Sleep Life, we invited comedian, actor and presenter Joel Dommett into the studio to talk all things travel. From Joel and Nish vs The World to being both a contestant on I'm a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here! and then a host for I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp, Joel is no stranger to all the jet lag has to throw at him. Sleep Life host Georgie Barrat and Simba's Alex Goldstein invited him in to talk circadian rhythms, sleeping on the ground and the one thing he never fails to take on the road with him (you might be surprised). Don't forget to subscribe to Sleep Life so you never miss and episode. To see the studies and research referenced in the show, visit the blog at simbasleep.com.

Travel with Joel Dommett

Sleep Life is a brand new show from Simba, designed to help you unlock your sleeping potential. Whether you have trouble getting your head down, or are interested in boosting your performance, this podcast is all about realising that sleep is the foundation of everything we do whilst we’re awake. Join host Georgie Barrat and Simba's Alex Goldstein as they meet guests from the worlds of travel, relationships, nutrition and beyond – to discuss how sleep interacts with different areas of our lives, with tips and strategies help you get a better night's rest. A Pixiu production.

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Sleep Life

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