- Brits are worrying themselves awake at night, with two-thirds (64 per cent) stating they suffer sleepless nights due to various life worries
- Poor mental health underpins inadequate or inconsistent sleep, with over half of Brits being kept awake by stress and anxieties
- Younger generation most likely to lose sleep due to stress
- TEMPUR® study marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 (13-19 May)
Research from premium mattress brand, TEMPUR®, today reveals that almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of the nation lie awake at night worrying, with common mental health problems including stress and anxiety identified as the key culprits for sleep disturbance.
According to the findings of TEMPUR®’s Sleep vs. Mental Health Survey 2019, over a quarter of Brits are sleepless due to stress (27 per cent) and anxiety (26 per cent). The leading late-night worries are those related to family (20 per cent), money (19 per cent) and work (15 per cent).
TEMPUR®’s first Mental Health study explores the causes of sleepless nights by generation, unveiling that 18-24-year olds are significantly more likely to lose sleep due to stress, with almost half (48 per cent) being kept awake by it, compared to 27 per cent of 35-44-year-olds and only 8 per cent of those aged 75+.
Delving further into the worries keeping 18-24-year olds awake at night, the younger generation is the most likely to lose sleep due to loneliness (22 per cent) and body image concerns (15 per cent).
Comparing sleep behaviours before bed, those aged 18-24 are also the most likely to use social media before bed (55 per cent), in contrast to 40 per cent of 25-34-year-olds and decreasing to 34 per cent of 35-44-year-olds.
Aiming to uncover insights around the UK’s sleep habits in conjunction with mental health, the study reveals that a quarter of Brits (25 per cent) rate their sleep as poor or inconsistent, with this rising to a third (32 per cent) of those aged 55-64.
The research highlights poor sleep as a concern for mental wellbeing, with a third (33 per cent) stating that irregular sleep patterns affect their daily life and three in ten (30 per cent) claiming it has a direct impact on their mental health as a result.
Younger age groups suffer most, with just over half (51 per cent) of those aged 18-24 admitting that poor quality sleep affects their mental health.
Poor and inconsistent sleep also affects our work (21 per cent), fitness (20 percent) and diet (18 percent), highlighting the importance of quality sleep for overall health and wellbeing as well as for good mental health.
The overriding insight that has emerged from the study is that improving sleep quality is on the nation’s minds. Seven in ten Brits (72 per cent) consider a new mattress to be an important investment for their mental (43 per cent) and physical health (69 per cent), highlighting awareness around the impact of a good night sleep’s on general wellbeing. Over half (51 per cent) incorporate exercise in their daily routine to improve their sleep quality, and a quarter (26 per cent) have also tried meditation to ease slumber.
Digging further into mental health and sleep, the study discovered that more than a quarter of Brits (27 per cent) have sought help for their mental health, and one in seven (14 per cent) have obtained professional help specifically for poor sleep issues.
“We spend about a third of our lives asleep, and good quality sleep is essential to maintaining both good mental and physical health”, says Tobin James, TEMPUR® UK Managing Director.
“Our first Mental Health study reveals that many are aware that poor sleep has a direct impact on their general wellbeing and reassuringly, are making small lifestyle changes and attitude adjustments to improve their sleep.”
To support people on the path to gaining more restorative sleep in order to improve mental wellbeing, TEMPUR®, in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, has developed a dedicated Sleep Guide, including tips relating to environment, attitude, lifestyle and health.
“Problems sleeping can be one of the first signs of stress,” comments Chris O’Sullivan, Sleep Expert at the Mental Health Foundation, “and conversely, poor sleep can quickly increase our risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. TEMPUR®’s research highlights how stress and anxiety continue to be the leading causes of sleep issues for people across the country, and particularly for the younger generation.
Improving the quality of our sleep is one of the simplest ways to make a positive impact on our mental health, and it’s encouraging to see that many are viewing sleep improvement as a priority, by making small lifestyle changes to positively impact both mental and physical health.
We’re thrilled to be refreshing our partnership with TEMPUR® for Mental Health Awareness Week 2019, to continue highlighting the importance of good and consistent sleep in preventing mental health problems.
Our green ribbon is fast becoming a symbol of mental health awareness, and we’re delighted that customers in TEMPUR® stores will be able to pick-up a green ribbon in store and donate to support our work. The money we raise will help us reach more people to offer evidence-based tools for improving their mental health.”
*TEMPUR® will be fundraising for the Mental Health Foundation throughout May. Visitors to TEMPUR® stores can show their support by picking up Mental Health Foundation ribbon in store, for a suggested donation of £2.
For further insights from TEMPUR®’s Sleep vs. Mental Health Survey, visit the TEMPUR® blog. For further information on the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week and for tips, guides and resources, visit https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
- The Sleep vs. Mental Health Survey was conducted by Opinium on behalf of TEMPUR® between 26- 29 April 2019, using a national representative of 2,002 UK adults
- Tempur UK Managing Director, Tobin James, is available for interview
- TEMPUR® will be fundraising for the Mental Health Foundation throughout May. Visitors to TEMPUR® stores can show their support by picking up Mental Health Foundation ribbon in store, for a suggested donation of £2. Mental Health Foundation is a registered charity (charity number 801130 England and Wales SC 039714 Scotland)
- Mental Health Foundation founded Mental Health Awareness Week in 2001, and the charity leads activities across the UK each May. Events and activities take place throughout the week 13-19th May, follow the hashtag #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and mentalhealth.org.uk
For further press information, please contact:
Elsa Findlay/Jo Kendall/Julie Aguilera
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8930
E: [email protected]
About Tempur
Tempur researches, develops, engineers, manufactures and distributes mattresses, pillows and other sleep products to improve the sleep experience worldwide.
Tempur mattresses and pillows are made from a formulation of the brand’s proprietary pressure absorbing TEMPUR material, originally developed by NASA scientists in the 1970s to support and cushion astronauts during lift-off.
Tempur mattresses offer maximum quality, comfort, support, durability, value for money and aid a restorative night’s sleep.
Tempur is the no.1 mattress brand in Europe for customer satisfaction, with 9 out of 10 customers claiming they would buy Tempur again.
Tempur products can be purchased direct via the Tempur UK website, from any of thirteen Tempur brand stores and outlets, or from leading retailers including Dreams, John Lewis, Bensons for Beds, Furniture Village and Land of Beds and independent retailers.
Trusted and promoted by medical practitioners around the world, Tempur is the only mattress product recognised by NASA and certified by the Space Foundation.
Tempur is a subsidiary of Tempur Sealy International Inc.
Tempur – a mattress like no other.
Follow Tempur:
- Twitter: @TempurUK
- Facebook: @TempurUK
- Instagram: @tempur_uk
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TempurUKonTV
