Bad sleep has massive impact on lives

Unhealthy food choices, rows with partners and short attention spans are among the most common knock-on effects of a bad sleep, according to a study.

Researchers polled 2,000 UK adults to explore the impact of a terrible night’s sleep – with other outcomes including feeling more emotional, clumsiness and oversleeping.

Incredibly, those polled have 90 ‘bad sleeps’ every year on average – almost a quarter of our yearly slumber. As a direct result, 171 questionable decisions or lapses of judgement are made over the course of a typical 12-month period.

Amid this, two thirds think poor sleep is having a significant effect on their lives – with 47 per cent believing it has damaged their health.

Christine Hansen, holistic sleep expert, said: “The good news is, 2018 is the year when sleep is finally on the agenda. This research shows that 75 per cent of people are more aware of the importance of sleep, compared to ten years ago, which is hugely positive. While an impressive 90 per cent believe a good night’s sleep has significant health benefits.Although we understand how important sleep is for us and our health, there is still a lot we can all do to improve our night time routines.”

Lack of humour is also a common knock-on effect of bad sleep, along with being grumpy and snapping at the kids. Other impacts include taking more risks on the road, making mistakes at work and being less presentable.

The research also found the biggest causes of a bad night’s sleep are stress, being too hot and needing to go to the loo in middle of the night. Worrying about work, snoring partners and outside noise are also common reasons for a disappointing kip. And for 44 per cent, the anxiety they might have about bad sleep is in itself a cause of poor sleep.

On average those polled sleep for six hours and 34 minutes per night, typically waking up around two times. Sixty-one per cent admit they worry about the potential impacts it could have on their future health. Forty-five per cent admit sleeping badly has affected their relationship with their partner and 29 per cent think it has impacted their relationship with their kids.

Carried out through OnePoll.com, half of the population admit they could do more to ensure they sleep better than they do currently. Amid this, nine in 10 think a good night’s sleep has significant health benefits, while seven in 10 consider sleep to be a priority for them over the next 12 months.

The research was commissioned by eve Sleep ahead of the launch of The Sleep Suite, a five-day event featuring workshops, talks and panel discussions on sleep, which takes place in London from 29 January until 2 February. For further information visit: www.evemattress.co.uk/thesleepsuite