Does it feel like you’re the only one lying awake at night? Trust us, you’re not. In fact, the Better Sleep Council’s 2021 State of America’s Sleep study finds a growing percentage of Americans are battling poor sleep. Yet more people than ever report sleeping great too. It seems there’s no in-between when it comes to sleep. And the reasons you’re not getting your zzz’s can be as obvious as they are complex.

For the third year in a row, we surveyed 2,000 Americans to gauge sleep quality and monitor sleep trends. And like so many things in 2020, when this study was fielded, sleep was more polarized than ever.

“The percentage of people we classify as poor sleepers has gone up 6% since our first study in 2019,” says Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications. “At the same time, the number of excellent sleepers has also risen, up 2% in the same time period. There’s hardly anyone in the middle anymore.”

The Great COVID-19 Pandemic Wedge

No surprise here, but the COVID-19 pandemic has played a big role in pushing us to sleep extremes. Both direct and indirect effects of the pandemic appear to have a bearing on who’s getting restful sleep and who’s struggling as of late.

• Poor sleepers were 3 times more likely than excellent sleepers to have been diagnosed with a medical condition in the last 12 months. They were nearly twice as likely (17% versus 10% respectively) to have lost a loved one in that time too. While we can’t draw a direct connection to the COVID-19 pandemic in either case, the sheer numbers of widespread illness and death suggest that the disease contributed to lack of sleep and sleepless nights for many.
• Excellent sleepers were able to save for college (70%) and home expenses (63%) in the last year. And more than one-third (37%) feel good about the economy. It’s likely that these folks held on to their jobs throughout the lockdowns, felt secure about their financial standing, and may have used stimulus payments as windfalls for their nest eggs.
• On the other side of the mattress, two out of five poor sleepers say their financial situation has worsened in the last year. Almost half (48%) feel like their mental/emotional health has suffered during the pandemic as well. Income pressures and isolation were daily stressors (in turn, sleep blockers) for many throughout 2020.

Better Sleep Starts with Better Habits

Many factors that impact our sleep are beyond our control. But our study finds a number of personal lifestyle choices may define our status as an excellent or poor sleeper too.

• Three-quarters (74%) of excellent sleepers regularly exercise, with nearly one-third (32%) increasing their activity in the last year. On top of that, excellent sleepers are 7 times more likely than poor sleepers to say they enjoy exercise. So, try putting on a smile with your yoga pants if you want to sleep better.
• Poor sleepers report significant increases in screen time (42%) and alcohol consumption (22%) in the past year. And as we know, blue light and booze are not good for sleep.

“In addition to practicing good sleep hygiene, I encourage people to assess their mattress situation,” says Rogers. “Consciously putting good sleep habits into practice won’t do much good if you retire to a lumpy or sagging mattress from the ‘90s.”

Which Side Are You On?

Think you’re an excellent sleeper? Or is sleep just a nightmare for you? See how your experience stacks up with the rest of the nation. Dive into the full results of our 2021 State of America’s Sleep study:

• Learn if people in cities or in the country tend to sleep better.
• Find out if a Boomer sleeps more soundly than a Millennial.
• See who’s more likely to use noise machines at night.
• Discover how much an excellent sleeper earns per year versus a poor sleeper.
• Read up on these and dozens of other sleep traits – good and bad.

This blog provides general information about sleep and sleep products. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. This blog should not be construed as medical advice or used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other healthcare professional. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health or the health of others. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or elsewhere on bettersleep.org. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.

Background

In 2019, the BSC launched The State of America’s Sleep, a benchmark survey (Wave 1 [W1]) with the goal of measuring the quality of sleep in the United States Year over Year (YoY). In 2020, year two, the BSC fielded the research prior to the pandemic (W2) and deployed additional research in the early days of the pandemic to understand its initial impact. This current study (W3) analyzes not only current sleep findings, but also trends that are beginning to emerge.

Methodological overview

2,000 surveys were fielded between March 5-12, 2021, among a representative sample of U.S. adults (age 18+), using a questionnaire lasting approximately 15 minutes. Sample size provides a confidence interval of ±2.19% at 95%.

Respondent Profile

SLEEP INDEX

Analysis was conducted to establish a Sleep Index (SI) that could be used to track America’s sleep quality over time. The SI is calculated using the following questions:

Q2. On average, how would you describe your sleep within the past two weeks?

Q7. Within the past two weeks, how often have you felt the following when you wake up in the morning?

The multiplicative index was scaled so the average score is 100. The index was used to create three groups, as depicted below, for analysis purposes.

The sleeping divide  

The “Divided States of America” has become a paradigm for the political, social, economic and health experiences of people. This wave of The State of America’s Sleep shows that this divide now characterizes how Americans are sleeping. The research shows for the first time a dramatic dichotomy in how America is sleeping – with far more people reporting they’re sleeping poorly or sleeping excellently, and few people with average sleep quality. This divided sleep experience has been exacerbated by the direct and indirect effects of the ongoing pandemic and its economic fallout.

The sleeping divide – who are the poor and excellent sleepers?

Beyond just the profound divide in how people are sleeping, the research shows other differences across America that correlate to sleep quality. For example, you will find more excellent sleepers in urban areas. They are more likely to be older and have a higher education. Their outlook is more positive, and they are more likely to feel good about the economy, think the country is moving in the right direction and be confident in the current administration.

You will find more poor sleepers in rural areas. They are more likely younger and will have less education. Their outlook is not as positive, and they are more likely to not feel good about the economy, not think the country is moving in the right direction and not be confident in the current administration.

How has COVID-19 exacerbated that divide?

COVID-19 has affected poor sleepers even more: They are experiencing physical and emotional pain, as well as a decline in mental health – almost half (48%) say their mental health has declined in the past year. We know poor sleepers have more stress, but they are also more likely to say that being a parent is a significant source of stress for them.

As expected, poor sleepers struggle with sleep – they do not sleep enough, struggle to fall asleep, wake up frequently and cannot go back to sleep after waking up. Over two-thirds (70%) wake up tired, and over half (60%) say they rarely, if ever, wake up rested or refreshed. Although most people don’t use sleep-promoting medication or other tools to help them sleep, poor sleepers are more likely to do so than excellent sleepers.

Poor sleepers are more likely to have increased their screen time during the pandemic, as well as increased their alcohol consumption – both behaviors reflected in other research on the effects of the pandemic.

What can poor sleepers learn from excellent sleepers to close the divide?

Although the research shows the depth of America’s sleep quality divide, it also suggests things poor sleepers can learn from excellent sleepers that would improve their sleep quality. Excellent sleepers have been participating in a variety of activities and continue to do so. They are also trying new activities and sticking with them. Excellent sleepers are regularly exercising, and many have increased their exercise in the last year.

Excellent sleepers are financial savers and have even significantly increased their savings since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Key Takeaways

 A Nation Divided

• While both excellent and poor sleepers live in both rural and urban areas, poor sleepers are more likely to live in rural areas and excellent sleepers are more likely to live in urban areas
  • 38% of excellent sleepers live in urban areas (30% of poor sleepers)
  • 20% of poor sleepers live in rural areas (15% of excellent sleepers)
• Excellent sleepers are more likely to be older and poor sleepers are more likely to be younger
  • More than one-third (44%) of excellent sleepers are 55+, which is significantly higher than poor sleepers (31%)
  • More than one in four (27%) excellent sleepers are 65+, which is significantly higher than poor sleepers (16%)
  • More than one-third (36%) of excellent sleepers are Boomers, which is significantly higher than poor sleepers (27%)
  • While the Silent Generation represents a small percentage of excellent sleepers, Silents are roughly twice (1.6) as likely to be excellent than poor sleepers
• Excellent sleepers are more likely to have a higher education and poor sleepers are more likely to be less educated
  • Over half (55%) of excellent sleepers have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is significantly higher than poor sleepers (40%)
  • Over half (60%) of poor sleepers have less than a bachelor’s degree, which is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (44%)
• Excellent sleepers are more likely to feel good about the economy, think the country is moving in the right direction and be confident in the current administration
  • More than one-third (37%) of excellent sleepers feel good about the economy, which is significantly higher than poor sleepers (23%)
    • Almost half (47%) of poor sleepers do not feel good about the economy, and that is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (34%)
  • Over half (53%) of excellent sleepers think the country is headed in the right direction, which is significantly higher than poor sleepers (39%)
    • The percentage of excellent sleepers who think the country is headed in the right direction has been increasing YoY and their agreement is significantly higher in 2021 than 2020 and 2019
    • More than one-third (36%) of poor sleepers do not think the country is headed in the right direction, and this is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (28%)
  • Over half (55%) of excellent sleepers are confident in the administration, which is significantly higher than poor sleepers (40%)
    • The percentage of excellent sleepers who are confident in the administration has been increasing YoY and their agreement is significantly higher in 2021 than 2020 and 2019
    • About one-third (35%) of poor sleepers are not confident in the administration, and this is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (28%)

What Has Been Affected By COVID?

• Poor sleepers are more likely than excellent sleepers to experience physical and emotional pain, as well as stress. They also are more likely to have experienced a decline in their mental health over the last year.
  • More than one-third (37%) of poor sleepers experience pain when sitting or standing and more than one in four (26%) experience pain when lying down, which is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (27%/12%)
  • Almost one in four (23%) poor sleepers have been diagnosed with a medical condition (e.g., anxiety, depression, cancer, etc.) in the last year, which is 2.3 times more likely than excellent sleepers (10%)
    • 17% of poor sleepers have experienced the loss of a loved one in the past year, which is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (10%)
  • Almost half (48%) of poor sleepers say their mental/emotional health has declined over the past year – which is 2.5 times more likely than excellent sleepers (19%)
  • Close to half (45%) of poor sleepers often or very often feel stress and are four times more likely than excellent sleepers (11%) to say they feel stress often or very often
    • Poor sleepers are also more likely to say that being a parent is a very significant source of stress, with more than two-thirds (40%) feeling this way – which is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (29%)
  • Poor sleepers struggle with sleep in a variety of ways and are more likely to use sleep-promoting medication or other tools to help them sleep
    • Over half (56%) of poor sleepers do not get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night – compared to less than one-third (31%) of excellent sleepers
    • Poor sleepers are more likely to take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, wake up more often, and struggle going back to sleep after waking up
      • More than one-third (35%) of poor sleepers take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep (compared to 9% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than half (53%) of poor sleepers wake up often or frequently during the night (compared to 28% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than one-third (38%) of poor sleepers have trouble going back to sleep after waking up at night (compared to 9% of excellent sleepers)
    • Poor sleepers are more likely to wake up tired; stiff, in pain or sore; or not rested/refreshed
      • More than two-thirds (70%) of poor sleepers wake up tired (compared to 3% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than one-third (39%) of poor sleepers often or frequently wake up stiff, in pain or sore (compared to 9% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than half (60%) of poor sleepers rarely or never wake up rested/refreshed (compared to 1% of excellent sleepers)
    • Most sleepers do not use sleep-promoting medication or other things to help them sleep; however, poor sleepers are more likely to use them than excellent sleepers
      • Poor sleepers are more likely to often/frequently use sleep-promoting supplements or vitamins to help them sleep (16% of poor sleepers/9% of excellent sleepers)
      • Poor sleepers are more likely to often/frequently use sleep-promoting OTC or prescription medications to help them sleep (12% of poor sleepers/7% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than one in four poor sleepers (26%) regularly sleep with a pet (18% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than two-thirds (38%) of poor sleepers regularly sleep with a fan (27% of excellent sleepers)
      • 11% of poor sleepers regularly sleep with a sound machine/white noise/ phone app (6% of excellent sleepers)
    • Poor sleepers are more likely to have increased their screen time during the pandemic, as well as increased their alcohol consumption
      • More than two-thirds (42%) of poor sleepers have increased their screen time somewhat or a lot in the past year (30% of excellent sleepers)
        • Poor sleepers (14%) are more likely to say their total screen time has increased a lot in the past year (8% of excellent sleepers)
      • Alcohol consumption has increased somewhat or a lot in the past year for more than one in 10 (22%) poor sleepers (14% of excellent sleepers)
    • Poor sleepers struggle with finances and have lower incomes
      • More than one in 10 (21%) poor sleepers have an income under $25K
        • The average income for poor sleepers = $71K/excellent sleepers = $90K
      • More than one-third (36%) of poor sleepers say they typically do not buy what they want when they want it (22% of excellent sleepers)
      • Almost half (47%) of poor sleepers say they live paycheck to paycheck, which is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (33%)
      • Two in five poor sleepers (40%) say their financial situation has changed negatively as a result of COVID-19 – this is significantly higher than excellent sleepers (30%)
    • Poor sleepers have relationship issues and feel isolated
      • More than two-thirds (41%) of poor sleepers’ relationships have suffered (e.g., friends, family, extended family) in the past year (27% of excellent sleepers)
      • Almost one in five (19%) poor sleepers have a difficult relationship with their spouse/partner (8% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than one in five (22%) poor sleepers do not have deep, meaningful friendships with people outside their family (14% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than two-thirds (41%) of poor sleepers wish they had more friends (31% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than two-thirds (39%) of poor sleepers have difficult times in social situations (19% of excellent sleepers)
      • More than two-thirds (36%) of poor sleepers would love to go out but do not have anyone to go out with (21% of excellent sleepers)

What Are the Excellent Sleepers Doing?

• Excellent sleepers are exercising regularly, increasing their exercise and enjoying it – as well as participating in a variety of activities and continuing to do so
  • Almost three-quarters (74%) of excellent sleepers have been exercising for more than a year – and almost one in five (19%) of those excellent sleepers who exercise tried exercise in just this past year and continued to participate
    • More than one-fifth (22%) of poor sleepers say they tried exercising in the past year and then stopped
  • Over half (54%) of excellent sleepers have tried outdoor activities (e.g., hiking, bike riding, kayaking, etc.) in the past year and continue to participate, or have participated in these outdoor activities for more than a year (and still participate)
  • Excellent sleepers are more likely to have been participating in gardening, meditating and yoga for more than a year
    • Over half (52%) of excellent sleepers have been participating in gardening for more than a year – 16% of excellent sleepers tried gardening this year and continue to participate
      • More than two-thirds (41%) of poor sleepers have never participated in gardening or haven’t in several years
    • More than one-third (38%) of excellent sleepers have been practicing meditation and one in four (25%) has been practicing yoga for more than a year
  • Excellent sleepers are more likely to say they enjoy physical activities (completely agree that they enjoy the activity)
    • More than one-third (37%) of excellent sleepers completely agree that they enjoy exercising, which is almost two times (1.7) more likely than poor sleepers (22%)
    • About one-third (33%) of excellent sleepers completely agree that they enjoy participating in outdoor activities (e.g., hiking, bike riding, kayaking), which is 1.3 times more likely than poor sleepers (25%)
  • Excellent sleepers are more likely to say they have increased their exercise during the pandemic – almost one-third (32%) of excellent sleepers
    • Close to one-third (33%) of poor sleepers say they have exercised less during the pandemic
    • Poor sleepers are more likely to say they don’t engage in vigorous activity (e.g., running, tennis, aerobic dancing, spinning, CrossFit, etc.) or moderate activity (e.g., brisk walking, power yoga, water aerobics, etc.) at all
      • Over half (54%) don’t engage in vigorous activity
      • 30% don’t engage in moderate activity
    • Excellent sleepers are financial savers and have even increased their savings
    • Excellent sleepers are more likely to save money than poor sleepers
      • More than two-thirds (70%) of excellent sleepers save money to pay for their children’s college education (46% of poor sleepers)
      • Almost two-thirds (63%) of excellent sleepers save money for unforeseen home expenses (48% of poor sleepers)
      • Over half (58%) of excellent sleepers regularly save money, so they have enough for retirement (42% of poor sleepers)
      • Over half (54%) of excellent sleepers save money for unforeseen medical expenses (39% of poor sleepers)
      • Over half (54%) of excellent sleepers regularly save money for vacation (40% of poor sleepers)
    • Excellent sleepers have significantly increased their savings since pre-pandemic (2020)
      • More than two-thirds (70%) of excellent sleepers saved money for their children’s college education in 2021 (46% in 2020)
      • About two-thirds (63%) of excellent sleepers saved money for unforeseen home expenses (56% in 2020)
      • Over half (54%) of excellent sleepers saved money for vacation (48% in 2020)
      • Over half (54%) of excellent sleepers saved money for medical expenses (48% in 2020)
      • Over half (58%) of excellent sleepers saved money for retirement (49% in 2020)
      • More than one-third (40%) of excellent sleepers invested in the stock market (34% in 2020)

Survey Details: Better Sleep Council March 2021

Methodology

2,000 surveys were fielded between April 10-18, 2019, among a representative sample of U.S. adults (age 18+), using a questionnaire lasting approximately 15 minutes. Sample size provides a confidence interval of ±2.19% at 95%. The sample was provided by Dynata, one of the largest online sample providers in the country.

Respondent Profile

Sleep Index

Analysis was conducted to establish a Sleep Index (SI) that can be used to track America’s sleep quality over time. The SI is calculated using the following questions:

Q2. On average, how would you describe your sleep within the past two weeks?

Q7.  Within the past two weeks, how often have you felt the following when you wake up in the morning?

The multiplicative index was scaled so the average score is 100. The index was used to create three groups, as depicted below, for analysis purposes.

There is a Strong Relationship Between Quality of Sleep and Quality of Interpersonal Relationships and Loneliness

People Who Feel Isolated or Have Difficult Interpersonal Relationships Tend to be Worst Sleepers:

• Adults who agree (completely or somewhat) that they wish they had more friends represent 46% of poor sleepers / 36% of excellent sleepers (Index 90)
• Adults who agree (completely or somewhat) that they have a difficult time in social situations represent 39% of poor sleepers / 22% of excellent sleepers (Index 74)
• Poor sleepers are 1.77 times as likely to have difficulty in social situations
• Adults who agree (completely or somewhat) that they would love to go out, but have no one to go out with represent 36% of poor sleepers / 24% of excellent sleepers (Index 82)
• Poor sleepers are 1.5 times as likely to want to go out and not have anyone to go out with
• Adults who agree (completely or somewhat) to having a difficult relationship with their spouse/partner represent 16% of poor sleepers / 9% of excellent sleepers (Index 81)

Conversely, People Who Do Not Feel Isolated or Have Strong Interpersonal Relationships are More Likely to be Excellent Sleepers:

• Adults who agree (somewhat or completely) that they have a great relationship with their spouse/partner make up 77% of poor sleepers / 88% of excellent sleepers (Index 110)
• Adults who agree (somewhat or completely) that they have deep, meaningful friendships with people outside of their family make up 54% of poor sleepers / 61% of excellent sleepers (Index 107). While the Index is not quite 110, it is very different than the Index among adults who disagree (somewhat or completely) (Index 83).
• Adults who agree (somewhat or completely) that they enjoy spending time with extended family make up 59% or poor sleepers / 67% of excellent sleepers (Index 105). While the Index is not quite 110, it is different than the Index among adults who disagree (somewhat or completely) (Index 81) and the difference in percentage between poor and excellent sleepers is statistically significant.
• Adults who agree (somewhat or completely) that they enjoy meeting new people make up 45% of poor sleepers / 55% of excellent sleepers (Index 109)

Other Studies Discovered That Lack Of Sleep Causes Loneliness

Lack of sleep has been identified as a cause of poor socialization, isolation and loneliness in other research as well. A recent study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5791747/)  suggests that when people sleep poorly, they are less accurate at judging other people’s expressions, quicker to rely on stereotypes, and are more susceptible to social stressors such as rejection and relationship conflict.

Another study (http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.888.3314&rep=rep1&type=pdf) found that increased relationship conflict and decreased conflict resolution can occur due to poor sleep. This study suggested that people are less empathically accurate after a poor night of sleep, affecting socialization and relationships.

Who Is More Socially Isolated In America?

Methodology

Two items were used to identify those who were feeling isolated (based on review of the data/ correlations/dimension analysis):

I wish I had more friends.

I would love to go out, but I don’t have anyone to go out with.

Those who gave a top 2 box response on either item were identified as isolated.

• Those who are isolated are more likely to be female (55%) compared to those who are not isolated (47%)
• Younger generations
  • Those who are isolated are more likely to be age 18 to 34 (39%) compared to those who are not isolated (27%)
  • Those who are isolated are more likely to be Gen Zs, 18 through 22 (11%) compared to those who are not isolated (6%)
  • Those who are isolated are more likely to be Millennials (35%) compared to those who are not isolated (28%)
• Single (never married). Those who are isolated are more likely to be Single (never married) (37%) compared to those not isolated (27%)
• Heavy users of social media, particularly at bedtime:
  • Those who are isolated are more likely to check social media before bed (39%) compared to those who are not isolated (31%)
• Struggle with finances:
  • Those who are isolated agree (somewhat or completely) that for the most part they live paycheck to paycheck (55%) compared to those who are not isolated (44%)
  • Those who are isolated agree (somewhat or completely) that they generally have enough money to pay only for necessities (54%) compared to those not isolated (42%)
• Sleep poorer:
  • Those who are isolated are more likely to indicate they often or frequently have trouble getting back to sleep when they’ve woken up at night (32%) compared to those who are not isolated (26%)
  • Those who are isolated are more likely to indicate waking up tired often or frequently (58%) compared to those who are not isolated (44%)
  • Those who are isolated are less likely to indicate rarely or never waking up refreshed (45%) compared to those who are not isolated (39%)

Who Is Less Socially Isolated In America?

• Those who are not isolated are more likely to be male (53%) compared to those who are isolated (45%)
• Older generations
  • Those who are not isolated are more likely to be aged 55+ (39%) compared to those who are isolated (26%)
  • Those who are not isolated are more likely to be Boomers (33%) compared to those who are isolated (22%)
• Those who are not isolated are more likely to be married (48%) compared to those who are isolated (38%)
• Those who are not isolated are more likely to be retired (26%) compared to those who are isolated (15%)

Sleep Better:

• Those who are not isolated are more likely to indicate they never or rarely have trouble getting back to sleep when they’ve woken up at night (38%) compared to those who are isolated (29%)
• Those who are not isolated are more likely to indicate never or rarely waking up tired (30%) compare to those who are isolated (18%)
• Those who are not isolated are more likely to indicate often or frequently waking up refreshed (34%) compared to those who are isolated (28%)

Survey Details: Better Sleep Council November 2019

Methodology

2,000 surveys were fielded between April 10-18, 2019, among a representative sample of U.S. adults (age 18+), using a questionnaire lasting approximately 15 minutes. Sample size provides a confidence interval of ±2.19% at 95%. The sample was provided by Dynata, one of the largest online sample providers in the country.

Respondent Profile

Driver Analysis

To identify the factors that are key drivers of sleep quality, a driver – or importance – analysis was conducted using Shapley regression. Similar to multiple regression, the technique estimates which variables best predict sleep quality. The technique is preferred when identifying the impact of potential drivers because it removes the correlation between variables (multicollinearity), which can understate or overstate the importance of some factors.

Factors analyzed included sleep environment, behavior before bed and in the bedroom, personal finances, relationships, hobbies, work environment, and feelings about current affairs.

The following provides the top, most significant factors that impact quality of sleep.

Factors That Most Negatively Impact Sleep In America

1. Stress
2. Physical pain
3. Personal finances
4. Social isolation/loneliness

Stress

• By and large, stress is the leading driver of poor sleep quality. People who rated their sleep as poor are nearly 4 times more likely to have felt stress very often in the past two weeks prior to taking the survey compared to those who rated their sleep as excellent (they make up 27% of self-rated poor sleepers vs. 7% of self-rated excellent sleepers).

Physical Pain

Those who rated their sleep as poor:

• Are over 2 times more likely to have recently experienced pain when sitting or standing compared to those who rated their sleep as excellent (they make up 42% of self-rated poor sleepers vs. 18% of self-rated excellent sleepers)
• Are over 2.5 times more likely to have recently experienced pain when lying down compared to those who rated their sleep as excellent (they make up 32% of self-rated poor sleepers vs. 12% of self-rated excellent sleepers)

 Personal Finances

Those who rated their sleep as poor:

• Are 1.4 times more likely to live paycheck to paycheck compared to those who rated their sleep as excellent (they make up 60% of self-rated poor sleepers vs. 42% of self-rated excellent sleepers)
• Are 1.3 times more likely to be concerned about their own financial future compared to those who rated their sleep as excellent (they make up 75% of self-rated poor sleepers vs. 56% of self-rated excellent sleepers)

Isolation/Loneliness

• Those who frequently wake up feeling tired in the morning are over 2 times more likely to have difficulty being in social situations compared to those who rarely/never wake up feeling tired (they make up 42% of those who are frequently tired in the morning vs. 18% of those who rarely/never wake up feeling tired in the morning)
• Those who frequently wake up feeling tired in the morning are over 1.5 times more likely to want to go out, but don’t have anyone to go out with – compared to those who rarely/never wake up feeling tired (they make up 37% of those who are frequently tired in the morning vs. 22% of those who rarely/never wake up feeling tired in the morning)

 Factors That Most Positively Impact Sleep In America

1. Hours of sleep
2. Personal finances
3. Social life
4. Staying current with the news and enjoying it

 Hours of Sleep

• Those who rated their sleep as excellent are over 2 times more likely to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night compared to those who rated their sleep as poor (they make up 72% of self-rated excellent sleepers vs. 34% of self-rated poor sleepers)

Personal Finances

Those who rated their sleep as excellent:

• Are nearly 2 times more likely to regularly save for retirement and/or unforeseen medical expenses compared to those who rated their sleep as poor (they make up 55% and 50% of self-rated excellent sleepers vs. 32% and 26% of self-rated poor sleepers, respectively)
• Are over 1.5 times more likely to buy what they want when they want it compared to those who rated their sleep as poor (they make up 54% of self-rated excellent sleepers vs. 33% of self-rated poor sleepers)

Social Life

• People who rated their sleep as excellent are 1.2 times more likely to have deep, meaningful friendships with people outside of their family compared to those who rated their sleep as poor (they make up 61% of self-rated excellent sleepers vs. 52% of self-rated poor sleepers)

Staying Current with the News and Enjoying it

• People who rated their sleep as excellent are 1.2 times more likely to enjoy staying current with the news (watch/listen to/read the news daily) compared to those who rated their sleep as poor (they make up 59% of self-rated excellent sleepers vs. 49% of self-rated poor sleepers)

A Few differences between Men and Women

 Results pointed to differences between men and women. Stress and personal finances are affecting women’s sleep more than men’s.

Stress

• Women who rated their sleep as poor are over 1.5 times more likely to have felt stress very often in the past two weeks prior to taking the survey, compared to men who rated their sleep as poor. Among women who rated their sleep as poor, 33% had felt stress very often in the two weeks preceding the survey vs. 20% of men.

Personal Finances

• Women who rated their sleep as poor are 1.5 times more likely to indicate they completely agree that they live paycheck to paycheck, compared to men who rate their sleep as poor. Among women who rated their sleep as poor, 41% completely agree that they live paycheck to paycheck vs. 27% of men.

Survey Details: Better Sleep Council June 2019