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April 9, 2017

Survey: Starving for Sleep

In the Battle to Get More Sleep, Americans Are Their Own Worst Enemy

Nearly 8 in 10 Americans admit they would feel better and more prepared for the day if they had an extra hour of sleep. The Better Sleep Council conducted a survey to explore what sleep-deprived Americans would do if they had the extra hour they lose as Daylight Saving Time begins. Results showed that U.S. adults consistently choose against getting more sleep – even when the opportunity is given to them.
Research

Nearly 8 in 10 Americans admit they would feel better and more prepared for the day if they had an extra hour of sleep. The Better Sleep Council conducted a survey to explore what sleep-deprived Americans would do if they had the extra hour they lose as Daylight Saving Time begins. Results showed that U.S. adults consistently choose against getting more sleep – even when the opportunity is given to them.

Survey Shows Sleep Loss May Be Self-Inflicted

Even though Americans are in the midst of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called a national sleep epidemic, U.S. adults consistently choose against getting more sleep. Consider the following:

We love our sleep …

  • Most Americans (82%) find one extra hour of sleep at night somewhat or extremely valuable
    • Adults 55+ are less likely than other age groups to find an extra hour of sleep valuable
    • Women find an extra hour of sleep more valuable than men
  • Most Americans (79%) would feel better and more prepared for the day with an extra hour of sleep
    •  Adults 55+ are less likely than other age groups to feel this way
    •  More women than men would feel better and more prepared for the day with an extra hour of sleep
  • 50% of all Americans say they would feel somewhat or extremely frustrated if they lost an hour of sleep at night and it wasn’t by choice
    • Adults 55+ are less likely than other age groups or the general population to feel this way
    • Women are more likely than men to feel this way
  • More than half (55%) of all Americans feel that they do not have enough time in the day
    • Adults 55+ are less likely than other age groups to feel this way
    • Women are more likely than men to feel this way

 … But not more than other activities

  • Only 26% of Americans would choose sleep over other activities if they were given an extra hour in the day
    • 18- to 34-year-olds are less likely than all other age groups to use an extra hour to sleep
    • Women are more likely than men to choose an extra hour of sleep over an activity
    • However, of all the respondents who feel they don’t get enough sleep in a day, only 35% of them would choose sleep over another activity during Daylight Saving Time
      • 40% of them would rather relax (13%), have sex (12%), spend time with family/friends (9%) or exercise (6%) than sleep
  • Adults who do not work outside of the home are more likely to select sleep over another activity if given an extra hour in a day than those who work full-time or part-time
  • About one-third (30%) of all respondents thought an extra hour of sleep a night was worth $100 or more
  • About half of adults (49%) do not feel they get enough sleep; however, adults 55+ are less likely than other age groups to feel this way
    • Adults 35-54 are least likely to feel they get enough sleep
    • Adults who work full-time are more likely to feel that they do not get enough sleep; however, they do get as much sleep as other adults on weekdays and more on weekends

When do we get the most sleep?

  • Americans 35-54 sleep the least on weekdays
  • 65% of Americans get 7 hours or more of sleep on weekends, which is significantly more than on weekdays (48%)
  • About three-quarters (73%) of Americans would rather lose an hour of sleep on the weekend (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) than a weekday; Saturday was the top pick (34%). Reasons included:
    • Not a workday; don’t have to work the next day; can sleep in because it’s a weekend (30%)
    • No obligations/least activity; easy day; family day; day of fun; slow day; least effect on this day (22%)
    • Make it up on Sunday; sleep in on Sunday; extra day to adjust (16%)

Survey Details: Conducted in first quarter 2014 with a statistically representative sample of U.S. adults (18+); a sample size of 1,061 yields a confidence interval of 95% +/- 3% .

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The Better Sleep Council (BSC) provides research, insights and educational resources to empower consumers to make smarter sleep decisions. Sponsored by the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA), and supported by experts from industry and academia, the BSC offers unbiased perspectives on sleep health and sleep products, so you can sleep soundly.

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