We surveyed 2,000 Americans to find out how they make the most of their sleep. Here’s what we learned from the sleep survey results.
People mostly feel like they're not getting enough rest.
Do you wake up feeling tired and cranky? It turns out you're not alone. We conducted a survey about sleep routines and found out that 65% of Americans rarely wake up feeling rested and energized. 42% even start feeling tired as early as noon, and this daytime tiredness negatively affects 74% of respondents’ productivity.
Not getting enough sleep can ruin your day.
People who don’t get enough sleep feel out of focus and unmotivated. Sleep survey results show that nearly half of the people we surveyed said not getting enough sleep puts them in a bad mood, and another three in 10 admitted that not sleeping enough makes them cranky. A quarter of those surveyed said a lack of sleep contributes to poor decision making.
Having a bedtime routine helps.
64% of the folks we talked to said they have trouble sleeping when their daily routine is thrown off. Having a solid nighttime routine is crucial for most of the survey respondents to properly wind down the day. Over half watch TV as they start getting ready to head to bed. Other nighttime routines included taking a bath or shower and checking to make sure their doors are locked. 30% wind down by meditating or exercising as a part of their nighttime routine. Only 37% of respondents are dedicated to a consistent sleep schedule where they go to bed and wake up at the same times every day. A quarter of those surveyed even said their bedtimes and wake up times vary on a daily basis. With this lack of consistency, it’s not surprising the sleep survey results showed that 27% of respondents have trouble falling asleep and 34% have trouble staying asleep.
You'll try lots of things to help you sleep.
28% of those surveyed said they’ve tried herbal remedies and 26% have turned to over-the-counter medications. 23% also said they’ve tried melatonin and even prescription sleep medication in the hopes of improving their sleep.
So why are we so tired? Why can't we just get a good night's sleep?
Even though Americans understand the importance of sleep routines and are willing to spend money on sleep aids, they're still waking up feeling unrested and out of sorts. Why are Americans so chronically tired? Two reasons. First, our modern lifestyle is at odds with the genetic and evolutionary forces which shape the control and optimization of sleep. Second, we treat sleep issues as the problem when they are actually a symptom of a much bigger problem, the underlying disruption in our circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm, ingrained in our DNA through millions of years of evolution, controls not just our sleep, but many other vital processes.
Circadian Rhythm? Yes, it matters.
Circadian rhythm, our "rhythm of life", is cyclical and takes cues from our external environment, like changes in light and dark, eating times, and patterns of physical exertion. Many modern conveniences send confusing signals to the "master clock" that controls our circadian rhythm. Indoor lighting and the glow from our devices send signals to our "master clock" that mimic natural, outdoor lighting. Easy access to food means we snack throughout our waking hours. These mixed messages desynchronize our circadian rhythm, affecting not just sleep, but also digestion, immunity, blood pressure, metabolism, energy storage and, energy consumption.
Our modern life is at odds with our ancient circadian rhythm.
Sleep survey results demonstrate that 83% of us have a bedtime routine, but over 50% include watching TV as part of that routine. Often the last thing we do before we go to bed is check our phone. Our very bedtime routines are distorting our circadian function rather than reinforcing or strengthening it.
Is there a better way to get the most out of sleep?
Of course! Adjusting our nighttime routines to put away electronics that emit blue light, avoid snacking after dinner, and make sleep a priority, can improve our circadian rhythms. But the reality is that we do live in a modern world where keeping our circadian rhythm synchronized is constantly a challenge. RestoreZ is the only natural supplement that is formulated to help you both relax and get deeper sleep and synchronize and protect your circadian rhythm for a lifetime of restorative sleep and optimal health.
