Two thirds of Brits get by on just six hours of sleep a night – far less than the seven to nine hours recommended by the NHS, survey finds

Two thirds of Brits are getting by on just six hours sleep a night – far less than the seven to nine hours recommended by the NHS, a survey has found. 

This is despite more than 80 per cent of people saying that getting a good night’s sleep is the most important factor in their general wellbeing.

The poll by bedding firm Woolroom found that 40 per cent of people reported heightened stress levels after a bad night’s sleep and 36 per cent said they felt anxious. 

Some 40 per cent said they felt this way one to two times a week and seven per cent reported having this feeling constantly.

Of those polled, 22 per cent said they had sought professional help due to the ongoing effects of poor sleep.

This is despite more than 80 per cent of people saying that getting a good night’s sleep is the most important factor in their general wellbeing (Stock Image)

Fluctuating in temperature was one of the main causes of disrupted sleep with being unable to get comfortable and stess also factors. One in ten said their partner’s snoring kept them awake.

Woolroom found that peri-menopausal and menopausal women are losing on average more than two hours sleep a night – or roughly two nights sleep per week due to their symptoms.

Respondents reported suffering from poor sleep due to their menopausal symptoms for an average of four years with only one per cent of respondents saying their symptoms did not disrupt their sleep at all.

The survey also suggested that 15 per cent of people wash their mattress protector, duvet and pillows once a week, 20 per cent once a fortnight and 11 per cent every few months.

Some eight per cent wash their bedding once a year, three per cent every two years and 10 per cent never wash it at all.

Woolroom managing director Chris Tattersall said: ‘By creating the Clean Sleep Report, we wanted to understand the nation’s attitude towards sleep and their awareness of the sleep environment’s impact on our health and planet.

‘What has emerged from the survey findings is that there is a clear disconnect between people’s attitude towards sleep and the amount and quality they’re actually getting.

‘We also uncovered a striking disparity between people’s perception of the importance of sleep and their understanding of the environmental impact of their bedding choices.’

Mortar Research surveyed 2,057 adults between January 25 and January 29.