Stress, money worries and too much heat are the main causes of bad sleep

THE biggest causes of a restless night’s sleep have been uncovered – including feeling stressed, frustrated with finances and never quite getting the right temperature.

A study of 2,000 adults found that 38 percent suffer from it bad sleep due to an uncomfortable mattress, while 36 percent struggle with their partner’s snoring.

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A successful night’s sleep is also often ruined by traffic noise, light coming in through the window, and habits such as consuming caffeinated beverages.

And cell phones have a big impact, as scrolling through social media (14 percent), playing games (12 percent), and reading (13 percent) on their devices before bed also contribute to a bad night.

As a result, the average adult expects to need an extra four hours of sleep each night to make up for the lack of peaceful rest, according to the study commissioned by Furniture retailer DFS.

dr David Lee, Clinical Director at Sleep Unlimited and author of ‘Teaching the World to Sleep’, said: “We’ve seen major changes in people’s routines as a result of the pandemic, so it’s not surprising that many people are struggling, or establishing a good bedtime routine.

“Bad sleepers You need to declutter the bedroom by simply arranging the bedroom for sleeping.

“Dress in another room, read in another room, use electrical appliances in another room.

“Then, over time, you only associate the bed in the bedroom with sleep.”

A spokesman for DFS said: “There are ways to get a good night’s sleep but it seems people are out of practice and a range of habits get in the way throughout the day.

“It’s no surprise that an inferior quality mattress or pillow contributes to uncomfortable sleep patterns, as well as emotional and physical factors in and around the home.

“That’s why it’s important to make sure you have a really comfortable bed and streamline your routine when necessary.”

The study also found that more than a quarter of adults (28 percent) are also unhappy with the number of hours of sleep they get.

While 18 percent admit their sleep routine has worsened since the pandemic.

More than half of them (53 percent) attribute this to feeling more anxious and anxious about everyday issues, and 20 percent found it difficult to switch off from reading message notifications on their phone.

However, one in five say their sleep quality has improved since March 2020, with 28 percent of respondents investing more time in their bedtime and evening relaxation.

Working from home has also helped 27 percent sleep better, as 30 percent are able to sleep longer.

Research conducted via OnePoll found that typical bedtime consists of going to the bathroom, brushing teeth, and checking that all doors are locked and the lights in the house are off.

Others also watch TV before bed (35 percent) and scroll through social media (18 percent).

The average adult’s bedtime preparation takes 32 minutes, but they then spend another 22 minutes trying to fall asleep.

It also found that a third of adults say they fall asleep faster when reading a physical book or magazine, with 18 percent admitting they tend to fall asleep much more slowly when playing video games before bed.

The spokesman for DFS added: “It is clear that the use of our devices – whether mobile phones, gaming consoles or television – can have a negative impact on how quickly or slowly we are able to fall asleep.

“That’s why it’s important to have a more settled routine that doesn’t involve the use of digital screens and focuses on creating a comfortable sleeping environment, from the mattress you lie on to the darkness of your bedroom.”