The extra hour of sleep as a result of the clocks going back this weekend will be welcome news with Aviva’s research showing the average adult sleeps just 6.4 hours a night. Against the NHS recommended 8 hours of sleep this could mean UK adults are losing 11 hours of sleep a week .
Research results on sleep and comment from Dr Doug Wright, medical director at Aviva:
- Enjoying on average just 6.4 hours sleep per night* UK adults are falling well short of the NHS’ recommended 8 hours per night**. Across a week, this adds up to a total shortfall of 11 hours – nearly half a day!
- Over half (51%) of UK adults sleep for 6 hours or fewer each night, while only 17% of UK adults enjoy the recommended 8 hours.
- Not only are UK adults not experiencing enough sleep, but the quality of sleep they experience is often poor, with 69% finding their sleep is frequently disturbed and 50% believing their sleep is of poor quality.
- Over half (55%) of UK adults have suffered from insomnia in the past, while over a third (38%) currently suffer from it.
- Lack of quality sleep is a top health concern across the UK, with nearly one in four adults (22%) ranking sleeping better as their top health priority, second only to losing weight (27%).
- While 48% of adults do nothing to improve their sleep, others rely on reading (18%), watching their caffeine intake (14%) or minimising screen time (11%) see table 1.
Table 1: Most popular measures taken to sleep better
| Measure | % of UK adults |
| I read to help me to relax | 18% |
| I watch my caffeine intake after noon | 14% |
| I avoid screens e.g. phones, tablets, leading up to bedtime | 11% |
| I exercise to tire myself out | 9% |
| I drink alcohol (e.g. a nightcap) | 8% |
| I use lavender oil or similar | 8% |
| I take sleeping tablets | 8% |
Source: Aviva, 2018*
Dr Doug Wright, Medical Director at Aviva, comments:
“A good night’s sleep is a crucial component for a healthy lifestyle and can affect all areas of our life, from our work to our weight. Quality is often just as important as quantity and Aviva’s research shows too often the sleep we experience is restless and disturbed.
“The last few moments before bed can be crucial in determining how restful our night’s sleep is, though there are also measures we can take throughout the day to help us nod off that evening. Adopting lifestyle habits such as exercising, practicing mindfulness and eating healthily not only bring benefits to our general wellbeing, but will also contribute to a good night’s rest.
“If you’re worried about the quality or quantity of your sleep, speak to your GP to help get to the bottom of why you’re struggling. They can offer advice on resolving any related underlying issues, such as stress or anxiety, as well as suggest some practical measures to secure a peaceful night’s rest.”
Top tips to achieve a good night’s sleep:
- Minimise screen time – Our bodies need to time to shift into sleep mode. Rather than browsing the internet or watching TV, why not try a more calming activity such as reading or taking a bath? Avoiding electronic devices before bed can help to combat sleepless lights by cutting exposure to lights which stimulate the brain.
- Write a “to do” list – If you struggle to switch off, and spend hours tossing and turning worrying about the day ahead, spending five minutes before bed writing a “to do” list can help organise your thoughts and restore a peaceful mind.
- Set yourself a bedtime – We’re creatures of habit – sticking to a regular bedtime – even on weekends – helps to programme your brain to a regular routine and can also help ensure you’re clocking up a sufficient amount of sleep each night.
- Cut the caffeine – Caffeine’s incredibly effective at stimulating our body and minds, so much so that the effect of a lunchtime coffee can remain in our system well into the evening. Try watching your caffeine intake in the afternoon, to help your mind wind down naturally.
- Recognise the root cause – While lack of sleep may be driven by day-to-day lifestyle factors, sometimes it can be driven by an underlying cause such as anxiety or depression. If you suspect there might be other issues contributing to your sleep problems, speak to your GP to help tackle the root cause.