Meditation is really the best thing you can do for your overall health – and all it takes is your commitment! Seriously – you don’t need special gear, a special place, or a special time to do it. We are talking about minimal effort here. You just have to sit still and be quiet. But even though we know how great it is for us, somehow we find every excuse not to do it. What’s that about? Here’s hoping this list of the amazing benefits of meditation will motivate you to carve out just a few minutes of time, in our otherwise busy days, to embrace the bliss of this beautiful practice.

The Ultimate Stress Reliever

Meditation is a great antidote to stress. With our hectic schedules, our nervous systems run high on adrenaline. Meditation gives us a time to pause and just chill out. Meditation lowers levels of cortisol, the hormone that makes us feel stressed and with reduced cortisol, we feel less anxious, depressed and generally calmer.

Meditation puts a smile on your face. When you meditate, serotonin is produced in your nerve cells making you feel a little more content, centered and comfortable in your own skin. And this good mood shows – you look better, too!

Keep Calm and Meditate

Meditation helps with focus and concentration. With a calm mind, you can handle tasks with aplomb. You are able to pay attention and are more aware of what you are doing – it improves your performance! One thing you won’t forget if you are  meditating, it helps improve your memory.

Mindful meditation helps you to be more patient and more present. When in a long line at the store or stuck in traffic, you can approach the situation with a sense of “this too shall pass.” Additionally, it helps you to release negative emotions more quickly, putting a smile on your face. Rather than embracing anger or frustration, you can process those negative feelings and let things go.

Body Benefits

Meditation is good for the mind and the body. Studies show that it lowers blood pressure which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can even boost your immunity, so you can stave off illnesses more easily.

Meditation helps you to manage pain. With less anxiety, you can tolerate pain better. You learn how to breathe through the pain with meditation, so you feel it less acutely. Meditation teaches us to self-soothe.

A Natural Sleep Aid

Meditators have an easier time falling asleep, and often sleep more soundly than most. Meditation for sleep acts as a guided experience that allows you to let go of the day, so that you can rest the mind while resting the body.

Providing Relationship Therapy

Meditation can improve relationships. It’s easier to communicate when you are calm and can think clearly. When you meditate, it helps you connect with who you really are. That space of silence is where all the wisdom is, and we can download it when we give ourselves the opportunities to do so.

Meditation helps you to forgive and let go of past issues with others. You feel more peaceful and can see the bigger picture. It allows you to feel more empathy. It allows you to let in gratitude.

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, then 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, then 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

According to Marketdata LLC, the self-improvement industry in the U.S. will be valued at $13.2 billion by 2022. Yet among all those self-care best sellers and celebrated self-help gurus, sleep is a topic that is too often overlooked. But you can better yourself through better sleep, and these 5 tips for sleeping better can get you started.

The Power of Positive Sleeping

Quality sleep can make all the difference in your life. Sleep is vital for your brain to store memories. It’s when your body rejuvenates tissue and allows your immune system to fight off diseases. It even helps you have better control of your emotions. So before you do anything, take the time to see if you have any bad sleeping habits you need to break and discover the importance of a good night’s sleep. You deserve it.

Awaken the Sleeper Within

“The key to better sleep lies within each one of us,” says Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications for the Better Sleep Council. “When sleep goes awry, it can feel like you have no control. But people may not realize how much influence they can have over their own sleep.”

You can become a better sleeper by using some self-regulated, sleep-improvement tips like these:

• Pay attention to what you’re doing after 4 p.m. Taking naps, drinking caffeinated beverages, exercising and even taking decongestants late in the day can make falling asleep more difficult. Try limiting your caffeine intake to the morning only so your body has time to digest it before you hit the hay.
• Yawning? That’s your body telling you it’s time to hit the sack. Go to bed at the first sign you’re feeling tired. You’re more likely to fall asleep quickly. Sounds simple. But think of how many times you’ve fought to keep your eyes open watching a late-night movie only to lay wide awake in bed once you finally do turn in.
• Set the scene for sleep. Make your bed a sanctuary for sleep and sex only. No screen time. No planning tomorrow’s calendar. No stressful situations. You can do a lot with the physical space of your bedroom to promote better sleep too. Keep it quiet. Keep it dark. Keep it cool – ideally 60-67°
• End your alarm clock obsession. Watching hours go by as you lie awake only adds to the frustration and anxiety of insomnia. (In fact, those feelings can perpetuate your sleeplessness.) Consider placing your alarm clock far enough away from your bed, so you’re not easily tempted to constantly check it in the middle of the night.
• Realize when it’s not working. If you still find yourself in bed tossing and turning, do a reset. Get out of bed and into a relaxing activity, like reading, meditating or yoga, until you feel sleepy again.

Habits of Highly Effective Sleepers

Like many things in life, you’re looking to turn quality sleep into a habit. So be consistent in your efforts. Establish a consistent bedtime to regulate your body clock. Incorporate these self-care strategies into your daily sleep routine. Soon falling asleep will become easier and your slumber will be more rejuvenating.

“It’s often just a matter of being more dedicated and disciplined about how we approach our sleep,” added Rogers.

Zen and the Art of Sleep Maintenance

Finally, don’t let your mattress work against you and all your self-care efforts. Consider the age and condition of your mattress (and your pillows too). Maybe it’s worn. Maybe it’s not the right one for you altogether. Getting the correct fit, feel and level of support can be the single, most-effective thing you can do to improve your sleep.

Sources:

• https://blog.marketresearch.com/the-10-billion-self-improvement-market-adjusts-to-new-generation
• https://www.psycom.net/how-to-improve-sleep
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prescriptions-life/201105/7-simple-ways-get-more-sleep

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 heath care 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 health care 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

You can do these poses on the floor with a yoga mat or towel – or you can do them right on your bed. The idea is to be comfortable and gentle with yourself. This is not a workout – just relax into each pose and feel a nice stretch.

If you’re doing the routine on your bed, you can take a moment to check your mattress for any lumps, bumps or valleys. If your mattress is more than 5 to 7 years old, chances are you need a new one. A comfortable, supportive mattress is the foundation of a good night’s sleep, so evaluate the condition of yours frequently. And now, those restful poses:

Cat Pose

Start on your hands and knees. Hands should be under your shoulders; knees should be hip width apart. Arch your back, tucking your chin to your chest, like a cat. Exhale as you pull your stomach toward your spine. Then, as you inhale, release the arch and let your back drop down. Raise your chin up, like a wolf howling at the moon. Pull your shoulder blades back and toward each other. Repeat this sequence three times. Cat pose relaxes the mind and massages internal organs, improving both digestion and circulation.

Butterfly Pose

Sit up tall with your spine straight. Bend your knees and put the soles of your feet together, as close to your body as is comfortable. Gently bend forward at the hips. As a variation, you can keep your legs straight out, as far apart as is comfortable, flexing your feet. Again, gently bend forward at the hips. Butterfly pose helps open the hips, which feels especially good if you’ve spent a lot of time sitting.

Legs Up Pose

Lie on your back with your buttocks as close to the wall as you can comfortably get. Extend one leg up the wall in front of you and then the other. If you need to make the stretch easier, scoot away from the wall a bit to make more of an angle between your legs and the wall. Extend your arms open to your sides, palms up. Close your eyes, breathe and relax. This is an inversion pose, meaning you’re a bit inverted, or upside down, which helps reverse the effects that gravity has on the body all day.

Child’s Pose

Sit up on your shins with your buttocks resting on the heels of your feet. Slowly drop your torso forward, bringing your forehead to rest on the mattress or floor. Tuck your arms behind you on each side or, for more of a stretch, extend your arms in front of you. This pose relaxes the back and calms the nervous system.

Corpse Pose

This pose is especially nice to do while on your mattress. Lie down on your back with your head on your pillow. Put your hands out to your sides, palms up. Relax your feet and close your eyes. Breathe slowly. This pose traditionally is done at the end of yoga class and is many people’s favorite. You’ll find it very relaxing.

You can turn the lights off now and, when you feel ready, move into your usual sleep position.

Sweet dreams and “shubh ratri” (goodnight)!