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.

From curbside grocery pickups to daily deliveries from Amazon, COVID-19 has had a heavy impact on the way we shop for almost everything, including mattresses.

So, how exactly has COVID-19 affected mattress shopping in 2020? Well, the Better Sleep Council asked people who planned to purchase or had purchased a mattress and here are some of our key findings.

Sleep on It

During COVID, shoppers are making faster decisions and are spending less time researching before making a purchase.

• In 2020, almost half of those who bought new mattresses said they spent one week or less shopping, while in 2019, only 31% spent that same amount of time shopping.
• Not only were people taking more time to make a purchase pre-COVID, but they were also doing more homework. In 2020, people researched three to four sources before making a decision, compared to seven to eight sources in 2019.

Count Stars Before Counting Sheep

The study revealed the importance of online reviews in mattress shopping research. Mary Helen Rogers, vice president for marketing and communications at the Better Sleep Council, states, “Shoppers who look at online reviews value them and find them influential – our findings reiterate this. For instance, of the 47% of mattress shoppers who read or had planned to read online reviews, 74% considered them a top factor in their final purchase decision.”

Since it can sometimes be difficult to tell which online reviews will be the most helpful to you, it’s best to use a mix of different sources to guide and influence your decisions while mattress shopping.

• Ask friends – a tried-and-true method. Our personal sense of self is derived from other people, and social psychologists have even said that the more of your identity you draw from a group, even when you’re not around that group, the more likely you are to uphold those values. Friends will give you all of the unfiltered pros and cons of their mattresses, may open your eyes to some new options you hadn’t thought of, and could sway your opinion while mattress shopping.
• Social media – What’s the conversation around the mattress you’re looking at purchasing? Social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Reddit have entire communities based on mattresses and mattress buying.
• Online mattress tools – Online tools, like our Better Bed Quizzz, are built to help you find a mattress that suits your exact needs. And the best part? They’re free.

Power Your Sleep with the Power of Research

A late 2019 Better Sleep Council study showed that people who take shopping shortcuts aren’t satisfied with their mattress purchase. They feel less informed and reported being less satisfied with their sleep quality. Shoppers who spend time researching feel more satisfied with their purchase, enjoy their shopping experience and are more likely to be satisfied with their sleep quality.

All of this means your new mattress is affecting your sleep before you even buy it. So, you should take your time to study up on what works for you. Our Better Bed Quizzz can give you a personalized summary of your mattress needs and even tips on testing a mattress in-store.

Speaking of in-store, you may feel a bit apprehensive going to a physical location to shop for a mattress, but many retailers have taken measures to ensure the shopping environment is safe during the pandemic. The Better Sleep Council always recommends trying before you buy, using the S.L.E.E.P test mentioned in our guide to choosing the best mattress.

The pressures of COVID can make it feel like there is less time to spend all around, but if our findings have taught us anything, it’s that better sleep is worth the research. Take your time on your research, use a mix of reviews and other sources for a better-informed opinion, and you can find a mattress that’s perfect for you. You can even check out our full COVID-19 Mattress Shopping Study for more information.

Source:

• https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190520-how-your-friends-change-your-habits—for-better-and-worse

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.

The events of 2020 have upended schedules, changed the way we work, kept us at home and turned us into toilet paper hoarders – all of these new stressors are affecting our sleep. Luckily, we’ve learned a lot this past year and have a few ideas on how you can sleep off the stress of 2020 and head into 2021 well-rested.

The Best at Sleeping the Worst

In 2019, the Better Sleep Council (BSC) launched The State of America’s Sleep, an annual survey measuring sleep quality in the U.S. By January 2020, research showed that sleep quality had declined compared to last year.

Fewer Americans were getting the minimum recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night (54% in January 2020 vs. 60% in 2019). America’s stress levels increased, more Americans felt financially strapped, and fewer used coping mechanisms to deal with stress.

And then, in March, things got worse. Much worse. COVID-19 reached the U.S.

COVID-19 vs. Sleep

During the early days of the pandemic, BSC fielded a follow-up survey to see how exactly coronavirus had changed the way Americans sleep. Spoiler alert: It’s not good news.

• As of March 2020, the number of Americans getting the minimum recommended hours of sleep declined even more (54% in January 2020 vs. 49% in March 2020).
• Fewer Americans woke up feeling rested and refreshed often or frequently (30% in January 2020 vs. 24% in March 2020).
• More Americans described their sleep as poor or fair (43% in January 2020 vs. 52% in March 2020).
• All of the sleep issues that COVID-19 amplified have also led to a significant increase in negative mentions about sleep on social media (up 62% from last March).

So, what does all this mean for you? What can you do to get through the rest of 2020, and 2021, with as little stress and as much restful sleep as possible? Here are three key themes to keep in mind:

Routine, Routine, Routine

While the world may seem a bit unhinged right now, you can create a sense of normalcy in your day-to-day by creating new routines – especially for sleep.

Certified Sleep Educator Terry Cralle suggests that the pandemic has allowed us to reevaluate our sleep schedules. “Before the lockdown, many children, as well as adults, were overscheduled. We traded sleep hours for long commutes, work, social events and more. For some of us, there are now fewer excuses not to get the sleep our minds and bodies require.”

Set up a sleep schedule for yourself and be consistent with it. At least an hour or two before you turn in, turn off electronics such as your phone, computer and TV. Before bed, practice yoga, drink some warm tea, or do anything that relaxes you and gets you in the mood for sleep – your pre-bed ritual is the foreplay to a restful night.

Self-Care Your Way to Better Sleep

Ever heard of the phrase “Treat Yourself”? 2020 is the time to start doing that.

You may have saved some money this holiday season on travel, food and buying gifts due to COVID restrictions. Why not spend your holiday fund on improving your sleep environment? Invest in a new mattress, buy blackout curtains or a sleep mask, and celebrate the holidays with sleep.

Self-care isn’t just buying yourself gifts – it’s about establishing a healthy mental and emotional lifestyle too.

Add a Method to Fight the Stress Madness

Trying to manage your different stressors can seem almost impossible during a year like this. Not only are we fighting through a pandemic, but we just finished a hotly contested presidential election season. Election Stress Disorder (or ESD) is real and affects people on both sides of the political aisle.

Thankfully, there are just as many de-stressing options out there as there are things to stress over.

For instance, the philosophy of feng shui aids in creating a balance within your home and promotes a positive, stressless environment – perfect to cancel out the negative energy from back-to-back, work-from-home Zoom meetings.

Or, if financial stress is keeping you up, you can schedule time in the day to focus on your finances – to avoid having the issues keep you awake at bedtime. There are also nonprofit groups that offer free financial help through these stressful times.

Find the cause of your stress and then find a specific de-stressing method for whatever is keeping you up.

This year has piled on heaps of stress in our lives, but you can combat it and get back on the right track to Snoozeville. Set new routines, practice self-care and find specific de-stressing methods so you can get some better sleep through the end of 2020 and beyond.

Sources:

• http://www.eatingwell.com/article/7870090/how-to-deal-with-covid-insomnia-pandemic/
• https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-election-stress-disorder-real/

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.