Americans became morning people as a result of 2020
Tags: Sleep, Research, Health, Wellness, Data

According to Mattress Firm’s second annual survey on sleeping habits, Americans got less sleep in 2020 than they did in 2019. (Photo by Gregory Pappas on Unsplash)

If you feel more tired than usual in 2020, you aren’t alone. According to new research, nearly one in three Americans surveyed said they’ve slept worse in 2020 than in 2019.

A new survey of 2,000 American respondents found that they got less sleep in 2020, averaging five and a half hours of sleep per night, compared to six hours and 17 minutes in 2019.

The survey, conducted by Mattress Firm, is their second annual report on how American respondents have slept throughout the year, and it found some rather interesting bits of data.

For example, it turns out you can put a price tag on sleep: it’s so important that the average respondent would shell out $371 just for one perfect night of sleep, compared to $317 in 2019.

The study also found that only 38% of those polled can confidently say they slept well

in 2020, while the majority of respondents said they slept either fine or not well.

Boomers, statistically, slept longer than every other group (six hours), with Generation Z coming in last with under five hours of sleep on average — both well below the recommended 7–9 hours per night.

Millennials received an average of five hours of sleep, too.

Interestingly, 2020 may have indirectly shifted those surveyed into morning people.

The results show that of Americans surveyed, more said they’re going to bed earlier and also waking up earlier than in 2019.

In an attempt to improve their sleep quality, 40% of those polled said they upgraded their pillows in the past year, 35% invested in new sheets and 29% purchased a new mattress.

The year 2020 has also been a year for change for many respondents when it comes to their sleep routine, as 54% said they have switched up their bedtime ritual this year.

Plus, one in four (26%) said they’ve started a pre-bedtime self-care routine and 26% said they’ve been reading more or have started sleeping with some type of white noise machine.

“With so many people at home for the majority of 2020 and feeling the weight of this year, sleep quality has truly taken a toll,” said Mattress Firm’s sleep health expert Dr. Sujay Kansagra.

“Whether your office is now your bedroom or the stress of the year is keeping you up at night, it’s important to create a sleep space where you can get your best rest. Implementing a few key changes over time can really make a big difference and create better sleep habits for years to come.”

With 2020 quickly moving to the rearview mirror, the survey also delved into what Americans want out of their sleep in 2021.

Good quality sleep is such a growing factor of importance that 74% of all those polled said getting better sleep is a key component in their 2021 goals. And many have a plan to make that goal a reality.

When asked how they plan to improve their sleep, the top action was found to be going to bed even earlier (31%).

Thirty percent said they plan on upgrading their mattress in 2021, with 27% saying they plan to cut down on the amount of TV they watch before bedtime.

Another 27% said they plan on scrolling on their phone less after they lie down and 22% plan on incorporating meditation more into their nighttime routine.

“The new year will be a fresh start,” said Dr. Kansagra. “The easiest ways to improve sleep quality are to cut down on screen time before bed and find what helps you unwind at night. Incorporating these two things into your sleep routine will hopefully make 2021 your best year for sleep yet.”

Top ways respondents changed their sleep routine this year

I bought new pillows — 40%

I bought new sheets — 35%

I’ve been watching more TV — 33%

I bought a new mattress — 29%

I started listening to a white noise machine — 26%

I started a self-care routine — 26%

I’ve been reading more — 25%

I started taking sleep supplements — 17%

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