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insomnia in numbers
If you’re anything like us, you love a good stat. So here are some useful little facts that can really help us understand trends in sleep struggles. These stats are all from a recent survey of 1,001 US adults conducted by the fine folks at The Alliance for Sleep in partnership with Wake Up America. Get more info at wakeupamericasurvey.com
In partnership with
How does insomnia impact people’s days?
If your days are currently clouded with brain fog, you’re not alone. But what specifically do people who have trouble sleeping say they struggle with during the day?
37%
canceled plans at the last minute
36%
got into an argument with someone close to them
32%
forgot an appointment or daily activity
22%
fell asleep during a meeting or function
13%
ended a romantic relationship
27%
reported financial struggles
10%
reported a job loss due to their sleep troubles
8hrs
(approximately) are lost per week due to sleep troubles
What do people do to overcome their sleep struggles?
It’s important to remember that different tips and tricks work for different people, but here’s a look into what people who have trouble sleeping are trying.
42%
minimize caffeine intake in the late afternoon/evening
34%
exercise regularly
33%
maintain a similar bedtime and wake-up time every day
29%
take a warm bath or shower before bed
28%
stop their use of electronics at least 30 minutes before bed
25%
minimize alcohol intake
24%
set their bedroom temperature at 68 degrees or lower
21%
have sex
21%
meditate before bed
18%
drink a warm beverage before bed
17%
use bedtime apps
$285
was spent on average on products or sleep aids over the past year
Common misunderstandings
If you’ve ever been confused between sleep tips that are based on real sleep science or are simply old myths, well, join the club. Here’s what people with trouble sleeping commonly get wrong.
61%
believe naps make up for a loss of sleep during the night*
*percentage included those who falsely believed or were not at all sure.
43%
believe you can make up for lost sleep on another night*
*percentages included those who falsely believed or were not at all sure.
44%
believe all prescription sleep medications work the same way*
*percentages included those who falsely believed or were not at all sure.
63%
believe your body can get used to functioning on less sleep*
*percentages included those who falsely believed or were not at all sure.
Let’s talk sleep treatments
People who are unhappy with their current sleep treatment aren’t talking about it enough. So if you think yours isn’t working, chat with your doctor, as there are other options out there.
66%
don’t think their current treatment options are able to improve their sleep
50%
of patients are satisfied with their current treatment, reported by Primary Care Physicians
The moral of the stat story? Chances are when it comes to sleep struggles, whatever you’re experiencing, someone else is too. So let’s keep talking about sleep, especially with our doctors.
