New Study Reveals Why You’re Always Tired, Even if You Think You Sleep Enough

Everyone has their own daily grind to push through. Life moves fast, and the to-do lists always seem never-ending. On top of that, staying ahead of the increasing cost of living can feel like a full-time job in itself. It’s easy to see why a jam-packed schedule can make you feel like you’re dragged through each day. But what if your hectic schedule isn’t the main source of your exhaustion?

Mattress Firm’s new State of Sleep survey suggests another reason behind your fatigue—and it has to do with sleep hygiene. According to the findings, Americans are struggling with sleep quality in ways they may not even be aware of.

Most Americans know the importance of following a soothing bedtime routine, yet many still aren’t getting the sleep they desire, the study notes.

Americans Get an Average of Just 6.6 Hours of Sleep per Night

The study, performed by Talker Research and involving 2,000 adults in the United States, found that Americans get an average of 6.6 hours of Z’s per night, which falls short of the 7.1 hours they would consider ideal. In any given month, participants revealed they would only rate 10 nights of sleep as “perfect” and eight nights as “bad.”

According to participant feedback, less than 11% feel they can properly adjust to less sleep. A surprising 48% say they can predict whether they’ll sleep well or poorly on any given night even before hitting the sheets. As far as taking naps is concerned, 15% of participants feel naps would interfere with their sleep at night.

"It's encouraging that people understand what supports good sleep and have a sense of what works best for them," explained Dr. Jade Wu, board-certified sleep psychologist and Mattress Firm sleep advisor. "What's clear is that there are still challenges in translating that knowledge to action. Investing in small adjustments to routines and your sleep environment can make a meaningful difference in getting more nights of quality rest.”

Bedtime Rituals Can Help You Achieve Better Sleep

To help improve your nighttime routine and optimize it for restful sleep, consider implementing new rituals, such as sticking to a set bedtime and establishing a wind-down routine like minimizing distractions and turning the lights down.

Of course, what works for one person may not work for another. Routines vary greatly from the preferred side of the bed to pillow firmness to room temperature. That said, the study found that the ideal sleep temp tends to be 66.3 degrees. Many Gen Z-ers swear by using wearable devices to track their sleep, and almost 75% of participants scroll through their phones or watch TV before bed. A whopping 81% of those questioned find music or podcasts helpful for falling asleep.

"What stood out is how intentional people have become about their sleep—from temperature preferences and pillow placement to how they track their habits," explained Megan Anderson, director of merchandising at Mattress Firm. "We know the bedroom environment plays a major role in achieving deeper, restorative sleep, and so do the elements of your overall sleep system. The mattress, foundation, pillows and sheets should work together to support the body and enhance comfort. When those elements align with how someone naturally rests, it can help bridge the gap between the sleep they're getting and the sleep they want.”

There are many things to try when it comes to boosting sleep hygiene—from listening to green noise to tuning out mind chatter. The bottom line? Solid sleep is essential for your overall well-being—it helps your mind and body recharge and prepares you to successfully tackle the next day. Find what works for you, and sweet dreams.