The Results are In! Key Takeaways from Our 8-Hour Sleep Challenge

During Men’s Health Week, Better Rest Solutions challenged men and women to take the 8-Hour Sleep Challenge and get 8 hours of sleep per night for a full week. As the challenge progressed, we posted daily polls on our Facebook page to get a better understanding of participants’ sleep habits. So without further ado, here’s a look at our most interesting takeaways from the polls – and some relevant sleep tips, too!

37% of respondents get an average of 6 or fewer hours of sleep per night, and 58% said they wake up feeling groggy or exhausted.

Sleep Tip: The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults aged 18-64 get 7-9 hours of sleep per night and adults aged 65+ get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you consistently get fewer than 6 hours of sleep per night and you’re waking up feeling groggy or exhausted, you could have an untreated sleep disorder such as insomnia or sleep apnea. Or maybe you just need to start going to bed earlier! 

43% of respondents said it takes them 5-15 minutes to fall asleep. 

Sleep Tip: Many people aren’t fortunate enough to be part of that 43% who fall asleep in a short amount of time. In fact, 21% of respondents said that it takes them longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep. If you fall into that category, consider trying the breathing techniques and relaxation exercises described by therapist Vikki Stark on Psychology Today.

40% of respondents said looking at their phone or tablet is the last thing they do before they fall asleep.

Sleep Tip: Your smartphone could actually be hindering your ability to get a good night’s sleep. That’s because smartphones and tablets emit something known as blue light that signals the brain that it’s morning. Furthermore, this blue light suppresses melatonin, a hormone associated with sleep. Bottom line: Put away those phones well before bedtime! 

80% of respondents wake up at least once during the night.

Sleep Tip: There’s a type of insomnia that makes it difficult to fall asleep, and there’s a chance that you may have it. So, when is it time to call the doctor? According to clinical psychologist Theresa Lengerich, you should seek medical attention if you’re waking up at least three nights a week, it takes longer than 30 minutes for you to fall back asleep and it’s been happening for 30 days or more.

38% of respondents said their biggest sleep issue is snoring. 

Sleep Tip: Snoring is one of the main signs of sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. If untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other serious health issues. To learn more about this disorder, read our blog post, Understanding the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea.

56% of respondents said they felt more well-rested after taking the 8-Hour Sleep Challenge. 

Sleep Tip: Good sleep hygiene has an impact on your physical and mental health. For more on how to improve your sleep hygiene and get those full 8 hours, check out our blog post, 5 Ways to Improve Your Sleep.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 8-Hour Sleep Challenge and responded to our daily poll questions! Even though the 8-Hour Sleep Challenge has ended, Better Rest Solutions encourages all of you to continue challenging yourself to get a full 8 hours of sleep per night and to pay attention to the way sleep affects your overall well-being.

Here’s a look at the full results from our 8-Hour Sleep Challenge poll: