Getting enough sleep and junk food deals are the main topics of the Tameside Radio presenter's latest column.

I've been doing early radio shifts for the last six and a half years, so ridiculous starts have become par for the course. 

I'm almost a morning person now, although I still set a minimum of seven alarms to be on the safe side. I love the early mornings, to be honest. There's rarely any traffic, the sunrises are beautiful, and the first sip of coffee is always a real treat. I've even managed to stop my McMuffin habit these days...well, most of the time, anyway. I did once order an apple pie at 4:55AM, and kidded myself it was one of my five-a-day. The power of delusion.

Along with resisting food temptation, one thing I've never been particularly adept at is napping. I don't think cats are my spirit animal. They can nap for Britain.

I've attempted forty winks a few times, but invariably end up sleeping for the whole afternoon, followed by a night tossing and turning, until the Shipping Forecast cranks into life and the alarm's shrill tone goes off. I perhaps need to try again, as new research out this week shows that taking a nap during the day can be good for your brain. Data from people aged 40 to 69 has demonstrated that daytime snoozing can slow the rate at which the brain shrinks as we age.

In fact, the average difference in brain volume between habitual nappers and those who were not was equivalent to 2.6 to 6.5 years of ageing, according to boffins. They say they hope the findings will eliminate the 'stigma' associated with daytime napping.

I've heard of workplaces that have sleep pods, but I can't imagine that would work too well during my Tameside Radio show, unless I put a succession of long songs on. Hotel California, Bohemian Rhapsody, and the full Bat Out Of Hell might make a nice nap duration, but as I say, I sleep for hours once I fall into the land of nod. I just can't do a power snooze!

If napping is associated with larger total brain volume, it sounds like something I need to try and get into. I just can't help feeling it's time that could be better spent at the cinema, having a long bath, or going for a walk. I also have a pile of books that would stock a small library to get through.

Meanwhile this week, embattled Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is to delay the Government's planned ban on two-for-one junk food deals for another two years, amid the cost of living crisis.

The move has been welcomed by the Association of Convenience Stores, which argues it will help consumers who are "facing enough challenges with inflation without leglslation like this further increasing shopping bills". I can't imagine Sunak has ever gone from 0 to tasty in 70 seconds, or pierced a film lid, if I'm perfectly honest.

Remember when we were told Brexit would make our food cheaper? Well, that's gone about as well as a Boris Johnson Select Committee appearance. Food inflation is still raging at over 16.5%, with around 70% of households either "extremely" or "very worried" about food and drink inflation when quizzed about it. It remains slightly behind those concerned about energy bills, but only just.

I would love to see more deals on fruit and veg. I know it will never happen, but why don't we ever see two for one on asparagus, bunches of bananas, or babycorn? I'm sick of seeing endless rows of junk food on offer, at a time when as a country we're all getting fatter. It's a taboo word these days, but it's true.

I've battled with my weight for years, and it would really help if I wasn't constantly flogged empty calories in tempting multibuy form. I detest the term 'nanny state', unless it's referring to the excellent Brewdog low alcohol beer. It's about looking after our health a bit better.

Obesity costs the NHS about £6.5 billion a year, according to recent estimates, and is the second biggest cause of cancer. Something has to change. Maybe a nap will help. It'll stop me picking up reduced Tangfastics anyway.

You can listen to Alex every weekday from 6am to 11am on Tameside Radio 103.6FM.