A third of Americans sleep with a “comfort object” from childhood, according to new research.
From a special pillow, a blanket or a stuffed animal held over from when they were little, 34 percent keep something of sentimental value close to them while they sleep.
The survey of 2,000 Americans looked at our nighttime habits and routines, including the quirky things that help us catch some z’s.
Twenty-six percent have an unconventional trick to help themselves fall asleep – everything from thinking about alligators, putting their legs up on the wall or rocking themselves to sleep.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Sleepopolis, the survey pinpointed America’s bedtime – which was found to be 9:34 p.m. – and looked at the routines Americans follow when preparing for sleep.
Forty-one percent have nighttime rituals to help them fall asleep on time, including checking that the doors are locked (32 percent), listening to music (30 percent) and putting on a specific movie or TV show (28 percent).
This was in addition to spending time on their phone (28 percent) and reading a book (27 percent).
Others find it helpful to take a warm bath or shower (26 percent), eat a snack (21 percent) and take vitamins and supplements (18 percent).
Seventeen percent find having sex or masturbating to be beneficial when trying to fall asleep, while 16 percent drink a cup of tea.
“Finding a nighttime routine that fits your schedule and lifestyle can make a huge difference when it comes to your sleep,” said Logan Block, the director of content at Sleepopolis. “While everyone needs to find what works for them, taking time to relax and prepare for bed can improve the quality of your sleep and help you to be more productive the next day.”
But even with their nighttime rituals, the majority of Americans aren’t having great sleep. Just 27 percent report high quality sleep on the regular, while 14 percent report low quality sleep.
Those with low quality sleep report four nights of poor sleep a week – but those with high quality sleep still have two nights of poor sleep per week.
Sixty-five percent go to bed at a consistent time, and 64 percent wake up at a consistent time.
When it comes to having a good night’s rest, the survey found the setting itself is important.
Sixty-five percent say the room temperature is their top consideration, followed by having good pillows and bedding (63 percent) and a quality mattress (57 percent).
Others agree that the amount of light in the room makes a difference (55 percent) and even the arrangement of the furniture can play a role in sleep (15 percent).
“While it can be beneficial to have a routine, having a comfortable space to sleep is also incredibly important in helping increase the quality of your sleep,” said Logan Block, the director of content for Sleepopolis. “While things like the temperature of the room and the arrangement of your furniture are personal choices, our reviews help you to find the best mattress and bedding, taking into account your sleeping position and other preferences.”
