British women struggling to switch off

Thirty two per cent of British women admit to having trouble sleeping at night and in addition 86% of women will do something to help them drop off at night, according to new research from Legal & General.

As many British women increasingly deal with tiredness as part of their everyday life, lack of sleep is being seen as one of the nation’s biggest health complaints. The Changing Faces of British Homes research of 4,400 adults reveals the lengths tired out Brits will go to in order to sleep, and how their lifestyles could be affecting their sleep patterns.

Women’s Sleepless Nights

Juggling motherhood, working, socialising and running a home during the day, maybe part of the reason why women struggle to switch off at night. While the most popular methods used to try to drop off are the same for women and men, such as reading a book, used by 57% of women yet only 35% of men or watching TV, 32% of women and 24% of men, more women than men will try other ways to get their sleep:

31% need to check that the front door is locked before they sleep;
29% sleep with a window open;
Women are twice as likely as men to have a bath, 22% compared with 9% of men or have a warm milky drink to help them sleep,16% compared to 8% or do a crossword, 11% compared with 5%.

When women do sleep:

They are likely to suffer nightmares, 8%;
12% are likely to talk in their sleep;
Only 12% admitting to snoring compared to 24% of men

And possibly as a result of their restless nights, 34% of women compared to 27% of men find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning.

The top five things Brits women and men do to help them sleep

1. Read a book
Women 57% - Men 35%

2. Watch TV
Women 32% - Men 24%

3. Ensure the front door is locked
Women 31% - Men 18%

4. Keep a window open to let in fresh air
Women 29% - Men 23%

5. Have a bath
Women 22% - Men 9%

Sleep Patterns

With 69% of Brits needing to do something to help them sleep, although the bedroom is normally associated with being a zone of tranquillity, 28% watch TV to help them sleep. This could indicate that 'junk sleep' is affecting adults as much as teenagers who miss out on sleep because they’re hooked to the screen.

Young couples with no children are the most likely to rely on the TV to help them fall asleep, 35%.

30% of multi-generational families mentioned they had difficultly sleeping.

Young professionals living in house shares are likely to suffer sleep problems, with one in ten, 10% admitting to buying ear plugs to help them sleep compared to the 4% of Brits on average. Young professionals are also the most likely to find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, 55%.

People living on their own being the most likely to invite pets to sleep with them, 10% or alternatively to read a book, 51%.

Regional Findings

People in the North East have the most difficulty sleeping, 33%, compared to 23% of West Country folk who find it easier to drop off.

People in the Midlands and North East are the most likely to watch TV to help them sleep, 31%.

The Scottish are the most likely to employ a relaxation routine to help them sleep, 82%.

Ruth Wilkins, Head of Communications at Legal & General’s general insurance business said: “The latest Changing Face of British Homes research would indicate that our varied home lives would appear to influence the way we get to sleep. What were possibly viewed as traditional methods of getting to sleep, such as counting sheep, is now only used by 2% of us and is being dropped in favour of watching the TV or reading a book in bed. This change in lifestyle means that there is now likely to be more TV’s, radios and computers in our bedrooms. So we would recommend that people check their household insurance cover to ensure it reflects their modern way of life. Hopefully knowing that their household insurance cover is in place and at an adequate level may also mean that there is one less thing to worry about and so also help get that peaceful night’s sleep.”