How Long It Takes to Fall Asleep & Why Americans Are Burning the Midnight Oil
A new Talker Research study, commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress, pulls back the sheets on our bedtime struggles and the numbers tell a story of restless nights and morning regrets.
Here’s the deal: the average American climbs into bed at 10:36 p.m., but they’re not catching Z’s until 11:18 p.m. That’s 42 minutes of tossing and turning. And three mornings a week, they wake up kicking themselves for not hitting the pillow sooner. Why? Well, 29% are up late tackling chores—laundry, dishes, you name it. Then you’ve got 21% who just love the quiet of the night, savoring those precious hours of peace. And here’s a kicker: 15% admit they’re dodging sleep to avoid the next workday. Can’t say I blame them when Monday’s looming (that’s always the hardest night for me to fall asleep – after breaking my sleep schedule over the weekend).
Now, let’s talk couples. Nearly half share a bed, but only 49% say it helps them sleep better. Most couples now say that sleeping together isn’t helpful for getting a good night’s sleep. They’re battling snoring—63% say it’s a dealbreaker, with 52% citing tossing and turning as the problem. Add in fights over the thermostat (24%) or mismatched bedtime routines (26%), and it’s no wonder some folks are dreaming of separate beds.
Parents, you’re not off the hook. Back-to-school season is rough, with 53% of you waking up earlier for school runs and 25% staying up later. Eleven percent are losing sleep worrying about their kids’ adjustment to new schedules. As mentioned by Laura Scott with Avocado Green Mattress: “Parents with kids in school have an even harder time getting all the sleep they need.”
So, what’s the takeaway? Americans want to sleep, but life—chores, late-night cravings for “me time,” snoring partners, and school schedules—keeps getting in the way. If nothing else know that if you’re the typical person – you need to get in bed about 40 minutes prior to the time that you know you need to be asleep.