May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a new poll looks at the connection between stress and sleep. According to the Sleep Stress Cycle Survey, 92% of Americans agree they’re less stressed and in a better mood after getting a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, nearly half (48%) say they have trouble sleeping as a result of stress.
The poll finds people sleep poorly an average of three nights a week, so it’s not surprising that so many people report feeling drowsy (47%), unmotivated (35%), irritable (33%), depressed, anxious and stressed (31%). Despite knowing how sleep and mood are connected, only about 40% of respondents would be willing to give up their late-night TV (44%), late night snacking (43%), smartphone (41%), or online scrolling (40%) to get better sleep and feel less stressed the next day.
The Sleep Stress Cycle Survey also finds:
- 82% of people report feeling their best after a great night’s sleep.
- When they don’t sleep well, two-thirds of adults are in a bad mood.
- Respondents average just six hours of quality sleep a night.
- Women are more likely than men to only get four or five hours of sleep a night (30% to 22%).
- Having to get up to go to the bathroom (34%) negatively impacts sleep as much as anxiety about the future (34%).
- DIY remedies people try to improve sleep quality include cutting back on caffeine (38%), reducing screen time (31%) and taking drug-free sleep aids (28%).