Sleepy Economy Keeping Boomers Stirring at Night
New Survey Finds Boomers Would Give up Cell Phones, Chocolate or
Sex for Sweet Dreams

Nearly three-fourths of American baby boomers are not getting a full eight hours of sleep each night, blaming sleepless nights on economic, financial and family woes. In fact, one in six of the eighty-two million strong generation report chronic sleep problems – difficulty falling asleep every night of the week – according to a recent sleep survey of U.S. boomers (44-62 year olds) conducted by the Better Sleep Council (BSC).

In today’s 24/7, sleep deprived society, sound sleep is such an elusive luxury that boomers say they would be willing to sacrifice chocolate (27 percent) and silence their cell phones (22 percent) forever in exchange for great sleep every night for the rest of their lives. Four percent of female boomers even said they would be willing to swap sex for a lifetime of better sleep.

“Quality sleep is vital to proper health and well-being at any age; it’s critical to look, feel and perform your best,” says Karin Dillner, director of communications of the Better Sleep Council. “What many people may not realize is that you don’t need to go to extremes to get better sleep. It could be as simple as improving your sleep surroundings.”

For the best sleep, the BSC recommends creating a bedroom that is dark, quiet, comfortable, cool, uncluttered and free of laptops and televisions. The bed should be used for sleep and sex only. And it’s important to sleep on a supportive and comfortable mattress.

As people grow older, their bodies and sleep habits change, affecting their need for comfort and support as they sleep at night. The BSC advises evaluating the mattress every five to seven years. In fact, survey results revealed that the majority of boomers who get the recommended seven to eight hours of shut-eye each night are sleeping on a newer mattress (less than seven years old).

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