Do you wake up grumpy?

You’re not alone – Here’s how one small change can make a big difference

A study has taken a deep dive into the nation’s sleeping habits and revealed that Brits only get an average of 6 hours of sleep a night. Resulting in 74% claiming they wake up grumpy. According to the report, as many as 40% of people struggle to sleep, with just 20% claiming to be out like a light.

Almost half of people admit not being able to switch off keeps them awake at night (48%), with feeling too hot (46%) and worrying about money (33%) also topping the list.

The research, commissioned by British Wool, found that on average, Brits wake up at least three times a night. 1 in 10 admit they find their bedding to be so uncomfortable it stops them falling asleep. 14% of those polled had down in their duvets, 13% feathers, 11% wool – and a third (33%) were unsure of what their bedding consists of.

And eight in ten (81%) had NO idea that using wool duvets, pillows, toppers, mattresses and blankets can help regulate the body’s changing temperature, and therefore help with sleep.

Julia Robinson, Head of Sleep at British Wool, said:

“It’s quite shocking that a third of people aren’t aware of what their bedding is made of, especially as a key reason for Brits struggling to sleep is effectively due to the type of bedding they use.

“From the research we can see that Brits sleeping habits can be improved with just a few small changes, such as using wool bedding and mattresses to regulate body temperature.

“Wool is a very complex fibre composed of proteins that provide it with flexibility and superior performance characteristics – The simple structure of synthetic fibre does not provide it with the same versatility and performance.

“The inside layer of wool fibre is a cluster of hollow, spongy cells. They create air pockets that help trap air, enhance insulation and warmth, and also aids wool in its retention of moisture.

“The coarser the wool generally the thicker the inside layer. British wool is quite coarse and therefore performs very well in regulating body temperature and wick sweat away from the body when sleeping.”

Sleeping Habits

Other sleeping habits suggests that eight in ten Britons (78%) always insist on sleeping on the same side of the bed each night.

The study also revealed that Britain is a home to a nation of night owls. With six in ten Brits admitting they go to bed late and like to sleep in, compared to 40% who describe themselves as morning larks. And it’s clear that the UK has plenty of snorers. Almost two thirds of the 1,500 Brits polled (62%) confessing that they snore at night – with 12% admitting they do it all the time.

So it’s hardly surprising that having a partner who snores is the number one complaint Britons have about their other half, with almost four in ten (38%) admitting that their snoring drives them up the wall.

Meanwhile, 22% confess that their partner’s secret talent at sleeping no matter where they are also grinds their gears. A fifth admitting they also can’t stand it when they steal the duvet.

Regions which struggle to sleep the most:

Liverpool – 52%
Cardiff – 51%
Nottingham – 48%
Newcastle – 48%
Glasgow – 48%
Oxford – 47%
Sheffield – 43%
Leicester – 43%
Edinburgh – 42%
Stoke-on-Trent – 42%
Norwich – 40%
Bristol – 39%
Belfast – 39%
Manchester – 38%
Brighton – 36%
Birmingham – 35%
London – 33%
Leeds – 33%
Cambridge 33%
Plymouth – 32%