The UK is experiencing a sleep crisis. Despite a growing awareness of sleep health, most adults across the UK are still not getting enough shut-eye. Vital for both mental and physical health, in 2025 alone, there have been millions of Google searches on how to improve sleep quality across the UK.
Our latest report has revealed the impact a lack of sleep is having on both personal and work lives in UK adults, and importantly, how it’s affecting our health.
We explore the nation’s relationship with sleep, how we rate our sleep experiences, the habits which could lead to a lack of sleep, and the mechanisms we’re putting in place to improve sleep quality.
The State of Sleep
Sleep remains a key foundation to good health, influencing not just energy levels during the day, but our mood, immunity, metabolism and cognition. Our research shows the average adult in the UK now gets just 6 hours 36 minutes of sleep per night, much lower than the 7-9 hours* recommended by the NHS. On a day-to-day basis this may not seem vastly different, but over the course of a week, it is the equivalent of losing almost a full night’s rest.
The data also shows a shocking 15% of us are getting less than 5 hours of sleep per night, which can have a hugely detrimental impact on health and wellbeing.
Even though men and women get roughly the same amount of sleep each night, women are found to be twice as tired as men during the day. There’s also a regional divide; Northern Ireland and the North East of England get the least amount of sleep per night, while the East of England gets the most.
While the amount of sleep we need varies based on age, each demographic was found to be under the recommended amount with the 55-64 age bracket getting just 6 hours 29 minutes. Those aged 45-54 got the most sleep at 6 hours 43 per night.
While it’s clear we’re not getting enough sleep, it’s not going unnoticed. Nearly half of UK adults say they’re worried they don’t get enough, and two thirds say they try to prioritise sleep as part of their routines, yet it’s clear there’s a disconnect between understanding and reality.
I’ll Snooze That
The impact of poor quality sleep is often felt first thing in the morning, as just 3% say they wake up feeling completely refreshed, and almost two thirds are snoozing their alarm more than once each day.
Reliance on alarms and the snooze function is a clear indicator of a lack of restorative sleep; more than 1 in 10 of us are setting three alarms, with some setting more than five every morning.
When asked to rate tiredness when waking, the majority said they felt fairly tired and 6% said they felt exhausted, resulting in a sluggish and difficult start to the morning.
On a regional scale, 15% of those living in Northern Ireland say they wake up feeling exhausted, closely followed by 11% in the North East, compared to just 4% of people in Scotland. Scots also topped the list for those waking up feeling completely refreshed at 6%.
Worryingly, in the East Midlands, North East and South West just 1% say they wake up refreshed in the morning.
The sleep deficit felt in the morning is leading to a cycle of fatigue; reaching for a morning coffee, or a late afternoon caffeine pick up can disrupt natural rhythms later in the day, and result in poor quality sleep the next evening.
The Impacts
For the majority of the UK tiredness is a part of daily life, but it comes with real consequences. Just 1% of those studied said they never felt tired, and over two-thirds said their lack of sleep negatively affects their ability to concentrate. It’s estimated over 207,000 working days are lost each year due to insufficient sleep, costing UK businesses approximately £38 billion.
Physically, the effects of lack of sleep are noticeable. Over half of those studied said their physical health was impacted through a lack of sleep, and sleep deprivation can increase the risk of long-term health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. A recent study by the British Heart Foundation also showed those who got at least seven hours of sleep per night were at a 20% lower risk of developing heart disease, highlighting the importance of a good night’s rest.
Long periods of sleep deprivation can also impact mental health which in turn affect sleep quantity and quality, leading to a cycle of disruption and lower mood. Lack of good quality sleep can affect the regulation of emotions, making us more irritable, have less patience and empathy; almost 70% of those studied said sleep quantity and quality greatly affected their mood and emotional wellbeing.
Why are we tired all the time?
Quantity of sleep is one part of the story, but quality and lifestyle are equally contributing to feelings of tiredness and fatigue. Almost a third say poor sleep quality is the top reason for their daytime tiredness, but behind the numbers are a variety of personal factors which contribute to, and impact, sleep quality.
Those studied pointed to a number of factors including parental and caring responsibilities, hormonal changes through both the perimenopause and menopause, along with health conditions such as Chronic Fatigue and Insomnia.
Stress and anxiety were the second most common reasons for daytime tiredness, and more than 1 in 10 said burnout and mental fatigue contributed the most.
Modern lifestyles are making rest harder to achieve, with a ‘tired but wired’ culture disrupting natural circadian rhythms. Constant digital connection is a huge contributing factor, as 14% of those studied said too much screen time impacts their sleep. A recent study into screen time with University students identified that for a one-hour increase in screen time after going to bed, there was a huge 59% increase in the likelihood of insomnia symptoms, and a reduction in sleep quantity of 24 minutes.
Solving the Sleep Crisis
In addition to increasing the quantity of sleep, people across the UK are trying a variety of methods to combat tiredness. A significant portion (39%) say they boost energy through regular exercise with 1 in 10 taking on yoga or Pilates as a way to incorporate more movement into their routines.
More than a quarter said they were currently using supplements or vitamins to help combat feelings of tiredness. Vitamins such as magnesium which helps to convert food to energy, and B6 which supports the body in storing and using energy, are vital for the normal functioning of the nervous system and can support overall health. Ashwagandha, an increasingly popular supplement, may also help lower stress and anxiety, and improve aspects of sleep.
Improving diet came in a close second, and more than 1 in 4 say they’re taking steps to reduce screen time before bed. Meditation and breathing exercises, along with following nighttime routines, are also common methods adopted to improve sleep quality and wind down for the evening.
Almost 50% of people said they were actively seeking new techniques, tools and products to improve both their sleep quality and energy levels during the day, but worryingly, almost a quarter say they don’t take any action at all to help combat their tiredness, despite seeing negative outcomes.
The Cycle of Sleep Deprivation
From the data, a picture emerges. Tiredness across the UK isn’t simply a result of night-time routines; it’s an imbalance across modern life. Digital connectivity, which extends from the workday well into the evening, combined with high stress and busy lives, all make it more difficult to maintain positive energy levels and wind down in the evening.
While there’s no quick answer to the nation’s sleep crisis, there are a number of factors that can make a difference.
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Routine
While not possible for everyone, especially those who are employed with irregular shift patterns, an evening and morning routine can be hugely beneficial. Try going to bed and waking up at similar times each day to regulate your body clock.
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Winding Down
Reduce your caffeine intake where possible and try to avoid it completely in the afternoons. Reducing screen time in the evenings will also allow your mind to unwind, try replacing scrolling on social media with reading or mindfulness exercises.
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Exercise
Excellent for boosting energy in the day, gentle exercises in the evening such as stretching or breathing exercises can help your mind and body relax.
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Nutrition
A balanced diet is key for good health but also remember your body needs vitamins and minerals to produce energy and support recovery during sleep. Consider adding supplements or vitamins to your daily routine to support overall health and wellbeing.
Check out our Night Sweet Dreams vitamin gummies, the perfect addition to your evening wind down routine. With Vitamin B6 and Magnesium which support your nervous system and contribute to normal electrolyte balance. Or embrace a moment of tranquility with our strawberry flavoured Ashwagandha gummies, with the highest concentration, full-spectrum root extract.
* A 2025 study of 2,000 adults in the UK.