One in seven Irish people fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow - but a fifth are 'ceiling watchers' who just can't nod off, according to a recent study.
The survey of 1,000 people throughout the country identified seven common types of sleeper, with more people suffering sleep problems than being 'out like a light'.
Other common types include the 'late night scrollers' (31 per cent ) who are glued to their smartphones until they fall asleep, and the ‘clock watchers' who wake up several times a night to check the time (nine per cent ). It is worth noting this habit of phone checking is two and a half times more prevalent in Ireland than the UK. And 11 per cent claim to be a ‘dancer’ – one who tosses and turns and wriggles around without meaning to.
The study, commissioned by furniture retailer DFS, found that just 12 per cent sleep straight through the night without waking up once. And 98 per cent have experienced not being able to snooze, no matter how hard they try – leaving 58 per cent frustrated and 47 per cent agitated. Tactics to get back to sleep include just lying there and hoping to nod back off, scrolling on social media or reading a book.
The survey went on to find the average Irish person gets six hours and 22 minutes sleep each night, but estimates they need between seven and eight hours to feel fully refreshed the next day. Reading a book, fluffing up the pillows and drinking a glass of water before getting into bed are the top ways people try and nod off each night – with some even trying to count sheep (three per cent ) and six per cent relying on a hot water bottle.
Although half end up worrying about the next day which stops them catching the Zs. And 44 per cent have been a subject of a complaint when it comes to their sleeping habits, by someone they have shared a bed with. Of those, 53 per cent were snoring too loudly and 31 per cent were guilty of wriggling around too much, while 98 per cent believe a good mattress is important when it comes to getting a solid night of slumber.
Seven sleep personalities – which are you?
Out like a light – falls asleep straight away, no problem (13 per cent ).
Ceiling watcher – goes to bed but struggles to relax and fall asleep within a reasonable amount of time (20 per cent ).
Clock watcher – wakes up several times a night to check the time (nine per cent ).
Late night scroller – scrolls social media right up until you doze off (31 per cent ).
Dancer – the one who tosses and turns and wriggles around in the night without meaning to (11 per cent ).
Me-firsts – the person who likes to be first in bed, before your partner (eight per cent ).
Snacker – likes to snack all the way up to bedtime, and if you get hungry in bed, you pop to the kitchen for more (five per cent ).
