Nicola Edwards, a 56-year-old business owner and mental health first aid teacher from Grimsby Lincolnshire, found herself puzzled by unexpected deliveries at her door. Despite being a size 16 and the owner of Doberman Reggie and cockapoo Florence, she received wet-look leggings in a size 8 and a book on guinea pig care. Additionally, she was surprised by random items like 10 bow ties for dogs, a vintage medieval black cat, non-stick baking papers, miniature railway figures, tiny iPhones for a dollhouse, ballet shoes, and a bubble dinosaur car ornament, all purchased for £43 from Temu.
Nicola’s confusion deepened when she received a diamond-tipped drill bit and a blonde dog wig resembling a politician’s hair. Initially thinking it was a prank, she discovered that she had been sleep shopping, a behavior that emerged during her peri-menopausal phase. Despite experiencing symptoms like disturbed sleep and forgetfulness, she was unaware of her nighttime purchases until parcels kept arriving at her doorstep.
Her husband, David, eventually uncovered the mystery, revealing that Nicola was shopping online in her sleep. Nicola realized that her menopausal symptoms might be the cause, leading her to reflect on the emotional and physical changes she had undergone. While some purchases seemed to have a logical connection to her family’s interests, others remained baffling, such as a signed picture of a musician she disliked or an inner tube for a wheelbarrow they didn’t own.
Despite efforts to control her nocturnal spending, Nicola continued to receive unexpected deliveries, including snow boots, coat hangers, and a ruff. While she found humor in her situation due to the lack of significant financial impact, she hoped that her sleep shopping would subside once the menopause phase passed.
Nicola’s experience is not unique, as explained by Dr. Allie Hare, a sleep medicine consultant, who highlighted the impact of menopause on sleep patterns and the potential for parasomnias. Sleep disorders, including abnormal behaviors during sleep, are common during this phase, emphasizing the need for awareness and appropriate treatment.
Nicola’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities of sleep-related behaviors and the importance of seeking professional guidance when faced with such challenges.