UK’s most sleep-deprived area named as Brits go to sleep at work – full listing

A new survey has found millions of Brits are sleeping less than seven hours during the week, with some admitting they’ve fallen asleep on the job . . . like most of us have

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Britons seem to be operating on perilously insufficient sleep, with millions of grown-ups battling to secure adequate rest throughout the working week. A nationwide study commissioned by baby sleepwear brand Sleeping Stars in advance of World Sleep Day (March 13) discovered that over half of adults (52%) manage fewer than seven hours’ sleep on a typical weeknight, whilst nearly one in ten (9%) are getting by on less than five hours nightly.

The consequences of these brief nights are being experienced well beyond the bedroom, with over a third of adults (37%) stating that sleep deprivation has left them battling to focus at work, whilst a concerning 18% confess they have even blundered on the job due to excessive fatigue.

It’s not merely Britons’ 9-to-5 that takes a hit either. A third of adults (34%) report that exhaustion has rendered them more short-tempered with relatives or mates, whilst over one in four (28.5%) acknowledge they have called off social arrangements in the past year purely because they were knackered.

Certain areas of the nation are struggling more than others, with the North East surfacing as the UK’s most sleep-starved region, where nearly one in five adults (18.9%) clock fewer than five hours’ sleep nightly. At the opposite end of the spectrum, residents in Brighton, Portsmouth and throughout the broader South East seem to be enjoying the most restful slumber, with merely 1.6% scraping by on under five hours and nearly half (47.6%) clocking between six and seven hours nightly.

Britons are also dozing off in rather peculiar locations as fatigue overwhelms them throughout the day. Some acknowledge they’ve dropped off on public transport (14.2%) or whilst working their shift (9%), whilst others admit they’ve even fallen asleep on the loo (5.4%) or in the tub (4.9%) following a dreadful night’s rest.

Those bizarre snoozing spots might not come as a shock, given that nearly one in three adults (31.7%) report difficulty switching off mentally before bedtime. Workplace pressure (36.3%), money concerns (36.1%) and general rumination (35.4%) rank amongst the primary reasons their brains remain alert during nighttime hours.

Contemporary behaviours could also be fuelling disturbed nights. Over two thirds of adults (67.7%) confess they routinely bring their mobile phone to bed, whilst 16.7% reveal they carry a laptop or tablet with them when attempting to sleep.

Ilona Andrews, founder of Sleeping Stars and certified sleep consultant said the findings suggest the UK could be facing a growing sleep crisis. “Too many people are going to bed wired and waking up exhausted. These findings show that sleep deprivation is no longer just about feeling a bit tired the next day – it’s affecting concentration at work, relationships at home and overall wellbeing.

“Modern life makes it harder than ever to properly switch off. Work pressures, financial worries and constant screen use mean many people struggle to relax before bed, which can make ideal quality sleep much harder to achieve.

“Safe and healthy sleep matters at every age. When people are well rested – whether that’s children or adults – it has a huge impact on mood, energy and how households function day to day.

“Sleep shouldn’t be treated as a luxury or something we fit around everything else. It’s one of the most important foundations of good health, and small changes to evening routines and sleep environments can make a real difference.”

Complete list of weary regions:.

• North East – 19%.
• East of England – 16%.
• West Midlands – 15%.
• South West – 13%.
• Scotland – 10%.
• London – 8%.
• North West – 7%.
• Wales – 6%.
• Yorkshire and The Humber – 4%.
• East Midlands – 2%.

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