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yesterday

Global Study Tracks 73 Million Nights to Reveal Environmental and Pandemic Impacts on Sleep

Researchers are calling for targeted public health campaigns to address pandemic-era sleep declines alongside environment-driven disruptions.

From subtle shifts in sunlight to social schedules, a new global study reveals the surprising ways our environment shapes when — and how well — we sleep.

Overview

  • The study analyzed 73 million nights of sleep recorded by FDA-cleared under-mattress sensors on 116,000 adults globally between January 2020 and September 2023.
  • Sleep schedules shift through the week, with people going to bed 30–40 minutes later and sleeping up to 80 minutes longer on weekends.
  • Seasonal swings intensify farther from the equator, leading Northern Hemisphere residents to sleep 15–20 minutes more in winter and Southern Hemisphere residents to sleep less in summer.
  • Average nightly rest declined by about 2.5 minutes during the study period, a change researchers attribute to lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Study authors are urging tailored public health messaging to counter health risks from irregular and reduced sleep.