New research on sleep is constantly coming out and the latest is loaded with both good and bad news. The State of Sleep survey from Mattress Firm uncovers that most Americans know how to sleep better, but many still aren’t.
According to the survey of 2-thousand U.S. adults, they average 6.6-hours of sleep a night, but they consider 7.1-hours the ideal amount. In a typical month, they get eight bad nights of sleep, along with 10 “perfect” ones.
- On the upside? Most of us aren’t falling for common sleep myths. Only 11% believe they can train themselves to need less sleep and just 15% think that naps automatically ruin nighttime rest.
- Three-quarters (76%) of respondents closely follow a bedtime routine, and 79% of them say they sleep better when they do.
- The most popular bedtime is during the 10 p.m. hour, when one in four hit the sack. Another 35% get in bed before 10 p.m. and 37% do it after 11 p.m.
- It takes people an average of 21 minutes to fall asleep after getting into bed and turning off lights and distractions. A lucky third fall asleep in 10 minutes or less.
- While we’ve all heard it’s better to avoid screens before sleep, two-thirds of those polled report watching movies, TV shows or scrolling their phones is “part of going to bed” for them. That jumps to 75% for Gen Z and millennials, but falls to 55% for baby boomers.
- Over a third (35%) always or sometimes wear devices to track sleep.
- A top sheet is an “absolute must” for 48% of all respondents and 59% of baby boomers.
- The average ideal temperature for sleep is 66.3-degrees, and 68% would rather have it too cold when sleeping than too warm. Just 16% prefer it warmer.
Source: Mattress Firm