Is 8.5 hours the perfect amount of sleep – and could you survive on much less?

The recommended eight hours’ shut-eye may not be enough, say researchers, as most people sleep for 90% of their time in bed. So what effect do different amounts of sleep time really have on the body?

Should we be allowed to sleep at work?

Members of the House of Lords have been told off for snoozing in the chamber – but workplace naps are surprisingly common

The truth about blue light: does it really cause insomnia and increased risk of cancer?

The light emitted from our LED screens is blamed for everything from bleary eyes to much more serious health issues. So just how worried should we be?

Weekend lie-ins could help you avoid an early death, study says

Survey of 38,000 adults shows 65% higher mortality rate for adults getting five hours’ sleep a night unless balanced with longer snooze on ‘days off’

How our beds are dirtier than chimpanzee nests

A new study has revealed that a third of the bacteria in our beds is from our own bodies and may be causing health problems – while chimps’ nests are almost spotless

Disruption of daily rhythms linked to mental health problems

People with disrupted 24-hour cycles of rest and activity more likely to have mood disorders, research suggests

‘Only use your bed for sex and sleep’ and other tips for dealing with chronic insomnia

News at Ten anchor Tom Bradby has been off work for five weeks with insomnia – and he’s not alone: some 30-50% of us suffer from sleep disorders. Here are some tricks to nodding off

Sleep Demons by Bill Hayes review – an insomniac’s memoir

Reissued with a new preface, this intimate and beautifully written book brings scientific research alive in a heartfelt and deeply personal narrative

‘Guaranteed to be devoid of excitement’: the book that wants to bore you to sleep

With its short chapters on railway gauges, Belgian politics and roundabouts, This Book Will Send You To Sleep promises to knock you out after a few pages. But tedium can prove addictive …

Can’t sleep? Tell yourself it’s not a big deal

There’s growing evidence that thinking of yourself as an insomniac is a major part of the problem