In an era of social media and constant scrolling, quality sleep has become a national concern, with 39% of Americans struggling to sleep. Considering this, MattressNextDay has created a sleep report to delve deeper into the sleep hygiene habits of people in the US.
So, how well do Americans sleep? The report offers insightful findings about sleep duration, bedtime routines, technology usage and partner dynamics, amongst other critical aspects that impact sleep quality.
In 2012, people were told 8 hours of sleep was the minimum; now, in 2023, 7 hours is enough – but how much sleep are Americans getting?
The report reveals that Americans average between six to seven hours of sleep per night. While close to the recommended duration, this statistic prompts questions about the factors influencing these sleep patterns.
The report highlights that a significant proportion of Americans–22%–prefer an early bedtime between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on weeknights. The survey reveals how often nighttime awakenings are among Americans. 50% of respondents shared that waking up once or twice during the night is common, with the majority taking around 13 minutes to fall back asleep.
“Being thirsty” ranked as the top reason for waking up at night, with 36% of people affected by nighttime dehydration.
The second most common reason for waking up, affecting 32% of Americans, was being too hot; the third was people being disturbed by bad dreams.
Bedtime routines and tech dependency
While sleep experts suggest no caffeine and screens before bedtime, the report finds a substantial 34% of participants admit to consuming caffeine right before bed. In comparison, 68% confess to using electronic devices up to an hour before sleep.
The report finds that nearly 6 in 10 Americans watch TV or movies before bed (57%), while 23% read a book and listen to music. Additionally, 21% of Americans have sex to wind down before bedtime.
Commenting on the findings, Martin Seeley, CEO at MattressNextDay, said: “It’s so important to identify the issues preventing us from getting quality sleep.
“A solid night’s sleep is your secret weapon for a fantastic day ahead. It’s your body’s saying, ‘I’ve got your back’, helping you wake up refreshed, sharp, and ready to take on the day.”
