Sleep routines can often feel like a lifestyle goal. And with the ever-growing popularity of sleep aids in the UK - a market that is generating a revenue of US $146.09m in 2026, according to Statista - more people are becoming obsessed with their relationship with their sleep schedule.
The trend of morning and evening routines on social media has led to the rise of Gen Z reporting frequent sleep stress, with 64% of them feeling guilty about their routines thanks to social media influence.
So, is the world becoming too hyper-focused on sleep? We surveyed 2,000 Brits and found that the average person spends 22.5 minutes per week analysing their sleep. This statistic is living proof that the country is slipping into a land run by orthosomnia: a phenomenon describing the obsessive pursuit of optimal sleep.
How much is sleep consuming the lives of Brits?
With the average Brit spending 20 hours per year worrying about their sleep – and Gen Z doubling this at 40 hours per year – the world is becoming a sleep-obsessed generation, with 26% of the average person reporting this is due to TikTok and the emphasis on perfect night routines shown by influencers. This is turning what is supposed to be the most peaceful time of the day into the most anxiety-ridden.
On top of this, Gen Z are spending £161.12 per year on sleep products to try and find some solace at night, and millennials are spending £177.48 on similar products. But what is all this money worth when 80% of Gen Z are skipping life events to try and prioritise their sleep?
Orthosomnia is a national epidemic, and to fix it, we need to start from the inside, with a happier frame of mind and a bedroom that oozes comfort and care.
Amy Cheseldine - a leading sleep expert who specialises in insomnia, holistic sleep health and acceptance and commitment therapy – had this to say about sleep awareness: “It’s good to have some awareness around sleep in terms of not doing anything harmful and allowing enough time to get those 7–9 hours. However, if this increased awareness contributes to rigid routines or anxiety, that’s not helpful. Our nervous system may operate in fight-or-flight mode, which works against sleep.”
Amy also had some keen insights on the negative impacts of a controlling routine: “Morning and evening routines can be beneficial, but if people start to feel confined or controlled by them, that’s when it becomes counterproductive. There are many factors that contribute to how we sleep at night. Feeling energised during the day is a big part of that, but it’s not the only part. If we focus only on sleep, we may miss other well-being factors. A more holistic approach is helpful.”
If you are struggling with conquering those final hours before bed, check out our blog on budget sleep aids for some great but affordable alternatives to the usual apps and expensive supplements.
Where in the country is being affected by this sleep epidemic?
It’s interesting to note that out of all the places in Britain, London has the highest percentage of people stressed about their sleep, with 95% saying they feel anxious when it comes to bedtime and spending the most on sleep products (£200/year), which is two times the national average.
It could be the rush and flow of the capital’s city life that is keeping Londoners hyper-focused on their sleep, in a city run on productivity and achievement. Amy Cheseldine had some thoughtful insights on the links between sleep and city living: “If people are living in cities like London, they might have long commutes into the office and high-pressure jobs. They may be under high levels of stress and anxiety, and being constantly connected, whether through work or socialising, might make it hard to switch off before bed. As well as performance pressure, busy, densely populated areas can lead to environmental disruptions, such as trains and buses passing by. Financial pressure can also have a big impact. If people are feeling under financial strain, that heightened stress state can significantly affect sleep quality”.
The North West (even though it is not as high as London) are still spending an average of £93.36 a year on sleep products, and Yorkshire is coming up behind with £91.78. Also, 30% of the North West feel guilty about their sleep routines.
No matter where you live, there are simple changes that can be made. Try some simple, calmer approaches to your nighttime routine. As highlighted in our blog on “Does reading before bed help you sleep?”, 42% of people who read a book before bed had better sleep. Taking some time for a quick meditation session can also lead to a better night’s sleep.
The relationship between our phones and sleep
Not only are we seeing a rise in online sleep aids, but the constant bombardment of social media showing us what a “perfect” morning and night routine should be is causing people to become more stressed about how they’re optimising their time in bed.
The rise of TikTok is causing us to set unrealistic goals on how our time before sleeping should look, with 45% of people admitting they have skipped leisure and work events to prioritise their morning/evening routines. London is once again the worst for this, with the highest percentage of people worrying about their sleep due to TikTok, with 40% admitting online platforms are causing them great anxiety about their sleep schedule. It’s significant to note that Gen Z reported an overwhelming percentage of their anxieties around sleep on TikTok, with 64% of them saying it’s social media that is making them feel guilty about their nighttime routine.
When Amy was asked about the effect of social media and sleep-tracking trends, she had this to say: “Social media and sleep tracking link back to awareness around sleep. A baseline level of awareness can be helpful so we’re not doing anything harmful and are giving ourselves the opportunity to sleep. However, when it turns into sleep anxiety, it can become problematic. Sleep trackers can turn sleep into a metric, which isn’t always a helpful way of thinking about it. If people are trying really hard to achieve perfect scores, it can make sleep worse than it already is. It’s better to look at overall patterns and trends rather than individual nights.”
Perhaps it is time to put the phone down and focus back on the basics of what makes a good night’s rest. Knowing how to stop sleep procrastination can be a difficult task to conquer, but there are resources to be found, and Happy Beds has many on how to find your inner peace when it’s time to turn the lights out. Our blog on how to stop sleep procrastination has many keen insights on how to turn that busy brain off and fall asleep carefree and relaxed.
What are Brits doing to help them sleep?
There are countless things people are doing to try and get enough sleep at night:
- 40% sleep in complete darkness
- 38% refuse heavy meals or caffeine before bed
- 26% refuse naps during the day
- 13% don’t use screens after a set time
- 17% keep their bedrooms at a specific temperature
- 12% use sleep tracking apps/devices
There are some points here that have been highly beneficial to the general populous, such as controlling the temperature of their rooms and keeping off their screens before bed, but others can simply overcomplicate the matter. 20% of the people in our survey thought their overuse of sleep apps/devices created a greater barrier to their sleep, and they would much rather focus on their mental health and environment than jump from sleep aid to sleep aid.
If you were wondering about the different ways men and women can be affected by sleep hyperfixation, check out our blog on what keeps men and women up at night. You can also discover your next dream bed frame on the Happy Beds website.
Can prioritising happiness improve sleep?
From London to the North West, people are struggling to find happiness in the humdrum of everyday life. Sleep aids and nighttime schedules can help you to a certain point, but if all your brain can do is focus on the stress of work and on your finances, you will never be able to wind down and find that perfect amount of sleep you so greatly crave. Our survey even showed that 17% of people blame their goal-oriented culture as a barrier to sleep.
Additionally, 19% of people thought financial stability would improve their sleep, and 10% said a more relaxing sleep environment would also help. When questioned on how productivity and goal-driven culture have turned sleep into another performance metric, Amy said: “It’s definitely worth looking at the overall picture and the broader benefits of social connection and balance. Focusing too narrowly on sleep performance can increase pressure. We have existed for thousands of years before modern sleep products and tracking tools. While certain tools can be helpful for identifying patterns, they are not essential for being able to sleep well.”
What it truly comes down to is how you feel about yourself and your surroundings. And when 9% of people cancel spontaneous plans and travel to prioritise their sleep schedule, it’s only going to get worse in this endless trap of orthosomnia.
This chase for the unachievable can only negatively impact your mental health, and as we have seen, this is the biggest deterrent when it comes to a great night’s sleep.
It all starts in the bedroom
When it’s all laid bare, it’s your environment that truly improves your sleep. Happy Beds’ CEO and Sleep Expert, Rex Isap, says, “The minute we climb into bed, we adopt a preferred sleeping position without giving much thought to it; we don't realise that what we perceive to be comfortable is actually doing us more harm than good.”
His emphasis on a proper sleep position and bed is what Happy Beds is all about. Our main goal is to create a happy sleep environment, and here are a few ways in which you can achieve this:
1. Buy a new mattress
It’s vital your mattresses are up to date and suited to your needs. Without this, it can lead to long-term problems and poorer sleep quality. If you’re thinking it’s time to buy a new mattress, look at our range of mattresses and find one that is perfect for you. You will be surprised how easily a brand-new mattress can transform your sleeping habits, and if you are struggling to decide which mattress would be best, check out our Mattressmatch page for a detailed guide.
2. Switch to red-toned lights
Most bedrooms use white, blue or green-based lamps. These colours are closely related to daylight, so when it comes to bedtime, these lights can negatively affect your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock).
Red bulbs have been proven not to affect this circadian rhythm and don’t negatively impact your melatonin levels. Think of switching to red bulbs in your bedroom to try to achieve a better night’s sleep.
3. Weighted blankets
Weighted blankets have grown in popularity over the years, and it’s clear why. They work by evenly distributing weight across your body as you sleep, creating a sense of calm as if you were being hugged. If a weighted blanket is out of your price range, try layering blankets to achieve a similar effect.
4. Sunrise alarm clock
These clocks allow you to wake up in the morning slowly and calmly. It's a great alternative to traditional phone alarms and lets your body naturally recover from a long sleep without jolting you out of bed, panicked and stressed.
Don’t waste your time by stressing over a fixed routine that must be strictly followed. Find the calm within the storm of everyday life and have a bed you’re proud of.
Are you wanting to start a new journey of stress-free sleep? Browse the Happy Beds’ website and find the perfect bed for you. There’s a wide range of double beds, kid's beds, and even sofa beds to choose from. Fall in love with sleep again and drift away without a care in the world.
Methodology:
Nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK residents conducted by OnePoll in February 2026.
