Bedtime study reveals when we fall asleep

Is there a “prime” bedtime? A new study found the average American falls asleep at 11:18 p.m.

A new survey of 2,000 general population Americans explored respondents’ nighttime routines and sleep habits — digging into their bedtimes.

The results found that the average respondent begins their nighttime routine at 10:15 p.m., taking 21 minutes to get ready for bed, on average — meaning respondents are then tucked into bed by 10:36 p.m.

But it takes about forty minutes before they actually fall asleep, as results revealed the average American doesn’t drift off until about a quarter past 11 o’clock.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Avocado Green Mattress (https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com), the survey found respondents have three mornings per week when they wake up wishing they went to bed earlier the night before.

For those who end up staying awake later than planned, respondents said they’re kept up because of chores and other things they need to take care of (29%).

A fifth said they stay up late because night is their favorite time of the day (21%).

Others said they don’t want to go to sleep and “fast forward” to the next workday (15%) — or that it’s the only time they have during the week to connect with their partner (13%).

The survey also looked at how respondents sleep — or don’t sleep — with their partner.

Of respondents who share a bed with their significant other (46% of the sample), only half (49%) sleep better due to having their partner asleep next to them.

On the other hand, one in seven (14%) of these respondents sleep worse, largely due to their partner’s snoring (63%).

Their partner waking them up during the night (tossing/turning, getting up to use the bathroom, etc.) (52%), generally having different nighttime routines (26%) and sleeping at different temperatures (24%) also contributed to poorer sleep when sharing a bed.

“For many, falling asleep and staying asleep is difficult,” said Laura Scott, director of brand marketing at Avocado Green Mattress. “And perfectly controlling your bedtime or wind-down routine isn’t always possible, since life, and sometimes other people, often get in the way. That’s why having a cozy, personalized and supportive sleep environment is so vital for a good night’s rest.”

With back-to-school season quickly approaching, the survey also asked parents how they anticipate this return to the classroom will impact their sleep.

Parents of school-aged children (27% of the sample) said, largely, they’ll get less sleep when their child goes back to school.

Half (53%) of these respondents said they’ll need to wake up earlier (to help get their kids ready for school, drive them to school, etc.), while a quarter said they’ll be going to sleep later — as they need to make lunches in the evening, help their kids with homework, etc.

And one in 10 (11%) won’t sleep as well, as they have more to worry about with their child returning to school.

“Parents with kids in school can have an even harder time getting all the sleep they need, since they’re making time for homework, packing lunches and making meals, driving here and there and trying to spend quality time with their kids,” said Scott. “With so much going on during back-to-school season, ensuring they can get a full, restful night of sleep is more important than ever.”