I have learnt the secret to sharing beds with children, with partners, with anyone. It’s single duvets. The only reason for a double duvet is if you have a bed to yourself – or if you have no intention of sleeping anyway. If you don’t believe me, ask the Scandinavians.
I recently visited Norway and was surprised that in hotels I’d find two single duvets, usually rolled up, on a double bed. Why skimp when you could get one larger piece of fabric, I wondered. The answer was in the experience: better sleep for everyone.
Ever since I had my first child, I’ve been sleeping with them – usually I get in the middle of double beds with children either side of me to help them get to sleep. This happens in hotels, but also at home (if any child is unwell or on a Friday when we have “sleepover” and the children snuggle in with me).
The downsides of this sleep configuration are that the person in the middle – invariably me – feels like a human hot water bottle even when there’s no heatwave. I sleep much better when I feel cool; I would happily keep windows open in winter. Also, when I need to go to the bathroom, I have to either burrow down to the bottom of the duvet so I don’t disturb the children or sacrifice one by throwing the duvet off one side.
Stunning solar eclipse dazzles Europe – in pictures
From Aberdeen to Penzance, from Aberystwyth to Hull, skywatchers were out in force yesterday to see the best solar eclipse in a generation.
In pictures
The spectacle continues
A once-in-a-lifetime experience for many
The event sparked huge interest for people across the UK as the Moon covered more than 90 per cent of the Sun.
It was the first time for many, with the last full eclipse occurring in August 1999. However, eclipse enthusiasts will have to wait until 23 September 2090 for the next one.
A scramble for eclipse glasses
Looking directly at the eclipse with the naked eye, or even sunglasses, can cause permanent damage, so a scramble for eclipse glasses ensued around the country.
Huge queues formed at shops which still had stock left, while many had already sold out and were forced to turn away customers.
Temperatures to hit 38°C today as amber warning expanded
Sweltering temperatures of up to 38°C are set to hit the UK today.
The Met Office has today issued an updated amber extreme heat warning for areas across the UK lasting from 9:00 to 23:00.
The relentless heat means that this summer is likely to be the hottest on record.
A dangerous period of heat
The sweltering temperatures forecast today mark the peak of the UK’s latest heatwave.
Tropical nights, where temperatures fail to drop below 20°C, are also expected as humid air spreads into western areas, which can place additional stress on the body.
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An extraordinarily dry period
The lack of rain has piled pressure on farming, freight shipping and energy production, after the UK saw its driest July in 190 years.
Up to 27 million people find themselves under water-use restrictions and 1,017 wildfires have devastated vegetation across England and Wales so far this year, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council.
Temperature records likely to be beaten
More long-standing temperature records are likely to be broken over the coming days.
- Wednesday became the first day in August to reach 35°C or more, making it the 4th consecutive month to reach this temperature.
- If temperatures reach 36°C or higher, 2026 will become the first year to record four separate days at or above that threshold.
- If temperatures reach 38°C today, there is a chance that the record for the hottest August day, which currently stands at 38.5°C, could be broken.
- Provided August temperatures remain average or above for the month, this summer will replace 2025 as the warmest on record.
The heatwave in pictures
Firefighters call for water bomb aircraft to tackle wildfires
Firefighters have called for “wildfire-fighting aircraft” to help combat spate of blazes as Britain braces for another heatwave, with temperatures set to rise above 35°C, possibly reaching 38°C.
The ‘dangerous’ scam tricking users into authorising
Concerns have been raised by the consumer group Which? over a “dangerous” scam that tricks victims into authorising card payments.
Familiar tactics
Which? warned that scammers may use similar tactics to those used in authorised push payment (APP) scams – where people are manipulated into making a bank transfer.
However, in this scam, victims are instead convinced to approve card payments.
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Victims may face difficulty in getting their money back
Which? warned that victims may struggle to claim for payments they have authorised to a legitimate company, as the company has provided the intended services, even though it is part of a chain of fraud.
How to protect yourself from scams
- Never share sensitive information.
- If you receive an unexpected call, ring your bank immediately.
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Universities at risk of going bust before 2026 freshers finish their degrees
Some universities are at risk of going bust before 2026 freshers have finished their degrees, experts have warned.
Bankruptcies, mergers and course closures are expected to accelerate from 2030 because of a projected decline in the population of 18-year-olds.
Why are universities struggling?
An immigration crackdown on lucrative oversea students and limits on tuition fees for British students has taken a financial toll on universities.
- Analysts previously said at least 119 higher education providers, accounting for 43 per cent of the sector, are “struggling financially” because of budget deficits.
Looming mergers
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) think-tank, said that more mergers between institutions will “definitely” happen.
- Hillman said it is predicted that over the next five years, student numbers will drop despite a record number of 18-year-olds securing their first choice this year.
- The Russell Group of elite universities will likely snap these up and could mean that less prestigious universities lose over 25 per cent of their undergraduate student fee income, according to a report by HEPI.
Courses closing
Mergers and a decline in applications to specialist institutions could see a decline in the number of courses available.
This is already being seen, with around 27,000 courses available in clearing this year, compared to 30,000 reported in previous years, according to Ucas.
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Concern raised over vape fluid chemical – what we know
Pregnant women should be warned of a “potential harm” linked to a common chemical used to flavour vapes, scientists have said.
What you need to know
Vanillin study
Research has found that vanillin, a flavouring in e-cigarettes, could “compromise core processes of early human development”.
Pregnancy warning
Mothers-to-be should be alerted to the findings, said study lead Prof Prue Talbot from University of California Riverside.
Vape packaging
The researchers called on regulators to consider mandatory ingredient disclosure on vape packaging.
A closer look at the science
What the US study found
- The US scientists exposed embryonic stem cells to vanillin in a series of lab tests.
- They found that even low doses, known as nanomolar concentrations, led to the early-stage cells losing the ability to develop.
- “Our data predict that nanomolar concentrations of vanillin may reach the embryo in pregnant women who vape,” Prof Talbot said.
- Marian Knight, professor of maternal and child population health at the University of Oxford, said the study was “well designed”.
- However, she noted that the way in which cells were exposed to the vanillin is “very different from how the cells of a developing embryo might come in contact with vanillin”.
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Caught the eclipse bug? Here’s where to see it next year
If yesterday’s solar eclipse ignited your interest in astronomical phenomena, you’re in luck.
There are more eclipses to come in 2027 and 2028.
What you need to know
On 2 August 2027, a total solar eclipse will cross Southern Spain, North Africa and the Middle East, with the path of totality lasting up to six minutes and 23 seconds near Luxor, Egypt. In 2028, there will be a total solar eclipse on 22 July crossing Australia and New Zealand.
There will also be annular eclipses on 6 February 2027 and 26 January 2028.
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How often do these events occur?
These events occur somewhere on Earth around every one-to-two years and create a “ring of fire” when the Moon is in front of the Sun, but too far away to block it entirely.
The 2027 annular eclipse will be visible along a path crossing South America and Africa, while the 2028 annular eclipse will cross parts of South America, the Atlantic, Europe and Africa.
Where and how to see the 2027 total eclipse
- In Spain, the zone of totality will include the province of Cadiz, part of Malaga province, the southernmost areas of the Granada and Almeria provinces and the Strait of Gibraltar.
- In North Africa, the eclipse will last up to six minutes and 23 seconds in Luxor, Egypt. Also in the path of totality are parts of Algeria, Gibraltar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
How stair walking could slash early death risk
Avoiding escalators or lifts could cut your risk of an early death as well as staving off heart attacks, heart failure and stroke, according to a study.
What you need to know
Stair study
Choosing the stairs is an “overlooked” way to get daily exercise, found researchers from the University of East Anglia.
Less likely to die
Regular stair climbers were 24 per cent less likely to die from any cause compared with those who don’t use the stairs as often.
Heart health
The findings suggest stair climbing may be linked to a fall in heart attacks and stroke.
What scientists say
It’s a good option for people who don’t have much time or easy access to exercise. Even brief bursts of physical activity have beneficial health impacts.
Dr Sophie Paddock of UEA’s Norwich Medical School
Why campaigners are encouraged
Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said a stroke was the fourth most common cause of death in the UK.
Bouverie said it was “encouraging that something as simple as taking the stairs could reduce the risk of early death and may also be linked to fewer cardiovascular health problems including strokes”.
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Do some foods leave
you feeling hungry rather than satiated? Experts say there are…
Foods that leave you hungrier
A bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice
More refined cereals are digested quickly, and fruit juice, whilst one of your five-a-day, contains less fibre than whole fruit. This might mean you find yourself hungry again within 1-2 hours of eating this breakfast.
Swap the orange juice for a whole orange, the cereal for oats and milk or serve it with Greek yoghurt or a boiled egg. This would increase the fibre and protein content; two nutrients strongly linked with fullness.
Foods that leave you hungrier
These pastries are made primarily from refined flour and butter, and are relatively low in protein and fibre.
Toast and jam
Shop-bought packs can contain a lot of white rice, which is digested quickly, and the protein content is often modest.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Vegetable soup
On its own, it is often very low in protein and calories, so hunger can return quickly.
Unless it’s loaded with veggies, it’s probably pretty low in fibre.
Liquids are generally less filling as they require little chewing which may not trigger satiety signals.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Snack bars
They are ideal for a quick pick-me-up, but if reducing hunger is what you’re after, it’d be better to swap it out.
Low-fat yoghurt
A full-fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds tends to be much more filling due to the protein, fat and fibre.
On an empty stomach, it can actually increase your appetite.
What to eat instead
Instead of thinking about avoiding foods, think about what you can add to them.
- Add beans, lentils or shredded chicken to your vegetable soup and pasta.
- Thicken your smoothies with Greek yoghurt, chia seeds and oats.
- Apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt with berries and hummus with oat biscuits are better snack options than a pre-made snack bar.
- Have alcohol alongside a balanced meal containing protein and fibre.
These problems are completely solved by two singles. After our trip to Norway, I have embraced this sleep style. If a child climbs in, there’s no overheating – I can poke a foot out of the duvet and remain cool. It’s so simple and the children sleep better too.
I also notice an improvement when sleeping with my husband Mark. He is sensitive to any movement so when I’m going to sleep I find myself trying to lie still, which is not a relaxing way to drift off. But add in separate duvets and we can each turn without bothering the other. It stops unjust accusations of duvet stealing, and other disturbances such as snoring. My ears are always on half-alert for a child waking, and Mark’s occasional gentle snoring feels muffled if I’m in my own duvet.
It’s the perfect compromise, preserving sleep without losing the intimacy of sharing a bedroom. Norwegian sleep styles are good for my marriage.
Younger me would have found this a deeply unromantic notion: why not sleep entwined with the person you love? Middle aged me is far more pragmatic: a good night of sleep counts for everything. Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map travel which specialises in Nordic trips says: “Using separate duvets is one of those Nordic habits that makes complete sense once you try it. It means you disturb your partner far less during the night — there’s no tug-of-war over the covers and no waking up to find the duvet has ended up on the floor. The only real downside is that you lose a little of that shared body heat, particularly in winter, but for us that’s outweighed by being able to regulate your own temperature and sleep more comfortably.”
While this is very much a Northern European habit, widespread in Scandinavia, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it is becoming more popular in the UK.
Nicole Wright, 44, a personal trainer living in London, discovered the advantages of single duvets when she met her partner three years ago. “This was a completely new concept to me and not something I’d ever done before meeting him,” she says. “My partner is 6ft 3″ and all lanky limbs that sprawl everywhere at night. Everything he does is done with practicality in mind and what makes the best sense. So he’s not big on romance, but he is good at finding solutions.”
Nicole is frequently chilly and even during this summer has wanted a duvet while her partner has often slept under a sheet. “Having my own duvet means I can move away from him and keep warm,” she says. “Plus I do have a tendency to wrap myself like a sausage in my duvet, which was fine as a single woman, but less fine when I met my partner. So it works perfectly for both of us.”
Polly Arrowsmith, 54, from London, says her mum is from Finland where most bedding is single duvets. She says it has added practical advantages: “It makes bedmaking very easy, as it is easier to put a duvet cover on a single rather than a double. Washing is easier, as you are no longer struggling with a double duvet cover, and if one of you sweats and the other does not, you can simply wash one set.”
Sleep experts tell me they frequently recommend this trick to those suffering from interrupted slumbers. James Wilson, also known as The Sleep Geek, says it allows each person to create the right “sleep microclimate” for them. “It can help children because a double duvet can feel quite overwhelming for them. It also allows everyone to have the right bedding for sensory issues,” he says.
Psychologist Dr Lindsay Browning, who has a doctorate on insomnia, agrees. “Having a separate duvet means disturbance is lessened. Some people may feel psychologically less intimately close because they use a separate duvet, although I have not heard this from any of my clients who used two single duvets, nor do I know of any studies supporting that,” she tells me. It’s been the opposite for Mark and me; we’re more likely to wake early enough for a cuddle if we’ve slept better without disturbing each other.
As for my children, they struggled to fall asleep in last night’s heat and ended up in bed with me, under three separate sheets, all of us cool enough that we slept well.