Snow-bombed Britain has turned the country into a nation of sleep-starved zombies.
Experts have warned the freezing temperatures this week will leave millions of us struggling to get some shut-eye.
Boffins said around 7million could face difficulties nodding off during this week’s brutal cold snap, with the mercury plunging to -11.2C in parts.
Findings show 13% of households across the country will be kept awake while shivering in their sheets.
But it will also leave us like a nation of zombies, with experts saying we will be left tired and fatigued with terrible memories, wandering around like the walking dead.
(Image: Getty Images)
Dr Paul Wallang, consultant psychiatrist at Cardinal Clinic, Windsor, said: “Cold temperatures can disrupt sleep for several reasons.
“The body needs to maintain a stable core temperature to sleep well.
“If the room is too cold, this can lead to restlessness as your body struggles to warm up.
“Shivering or feeling cold can prevent you from entering deeper, restorative stages of sleep.”
He said the lack of shut-eye would leave people with no energy, poor memory and suffering from fatigue.
Dr Wallang added: “Achieving adequate rest is an essential part of recovery, with poor sleep depleting energy levels and having a negative effect on your overall health.
“The reason for this is that adequate sleep removes tiredness and fatigue, repairs and removes harmful toxins and waste byproducts accumulated during the day and recharges your brain.
“Poor sleep can affect your memory recall, behavioural and body functions like metabolism working properly.”
The findings by Roseland Furniture showed women are more likely to struggle, with 14.4% of females impacted compared to11% of men.
Their research showed being cold was the tenth most common reason people couldn’t sleep.
Tristan Lynch, boss at Roseland Furniture, said: “Creating the right bedroom environment is crucial for a good night’s sleep… a dark, quiet, and well-ventilated environment enhances sleep – comfort is also key and should be an important consideration when choosing your bed, mattress, and bedding.”
He advised people to invest in new bedding, such as higher tog duvets or sleep socks and hot water bottles.
The snowy conditions have caused havoc across the country, with hundreds of schools closed and widespread travel disruption.
The Met Office has also issued several warnings for snow and ice across today (WED), advising vehicles could be stranded, power cuts may occur and rural areas could be cut off.
Monday night saw sub-zero temperatures for much of the UK, reaching as low as -11.2C at Braemar in Aberdeenshire and widespread snowfall.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.
The amber warning covers the east and north of England, the Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber, with yellow alerts coming into place for the South East, South West and London until 6pm on Saturday.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “With cold Arctic air firmly in place over the UK, continued winter hazards are likely through much of this week, with further updates to warnings likely in the coming days.”
The Met Office said cold northerly winds will continue through the week across much of the nation, with further warnings likely.