A woman from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, named Nicola Edwards, found herself puzzled when she received unexpected deliveries of items like wet-look leggings, guinea pig care books, and dog bow ties, despite being a size 16 and owning Doberman and cockapoo dogs. The random purchases, including various items like baking papers, miniature railway figures, and dollhouse accessories, were bought from an online platform for £43. Nicola, a 56-year-old mother of two and business owner, discovered that she had been sleep-shopping due to peri-menopausal symptoms, leading to unusual purchases like a diamond-tipped drill bit and a dog wig.
Despite canceling her credit card and trying to control her nighttime shopping, Nicola continued to receive parcels with items ranging from dresses to men’s Roman sandals. With her husband’s observation, she realized that she was shopping online in her sleep, leading to perplexing acquisitions like a signed picture of Stormzy and a wheelbarrow inner tube. Nicola, who estimates spending over £1,000 in her sleep, has managed to return some items and hopes that her sleep-shopping spree will subside once the menopause symptoms diminish. Dr. Allie Hare, a sleep medicine consultant, explains that disrupted sleep during menopause can lead to abnormal behaviors like sleep-shopping, a common occurrence for individuals experiencing sleep disturbances. Nicola remains hopeful that her sleep-shopping escapades will cease in the future as she navigates through this unique experience.