New Survey Finds Boomers Would Give up Cell Phones, Chocolate or Sex for Sweet Dreams ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 15
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- 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).
According to the same survey, if money was no object, boomers say they
would rather have a new mattress over a new computer, refrigerator or
dishwasher. But upgrading the mattress doesn't need to break the bank.
"The best quality mattress is simply the one that meets your own personal
needs for comfort and support, not necessarily the most expensive one in the
store," Dillner said. "Mattress shopping is about finding the best quality you
can afford."
With roughly 27 million boomers sleeping on a mattress more than seven
years old, the BSC offers the E.A.S.E. method to help guide consumers through
the mattress evaluation and shopping process:
1) Evaluate your current mattress to determine if it's time for a new
one. Among other indicators, if you wake up with stiffness, aches or
pains, or if your mattress is sagging, it may be time for a new one.
2) Arm yourself with the knowledge needed to make the best purchase for
you. Just as with any other major purchase, it's important to do
your homework. Visit http://www.bettersleep.org to learn about
important 'mattressology' terms before you shop.
3) Shop to find the right mattress to suit your individual needs. Be
sure to test drive the mattress in the store by lying down on it (in
your typical sleep position) for at least fifteen minutes.
4) Ensure that you protect your new mattress by purchasing its matching
foundation (boxspring), supporting it with a sturdy bed frame and
covering it with a quality mattress pad that will keep it fresh and
clean.
With a better night's sleep on a quality mattress, boomers may feel more
rested and ready to achieve their daydreams. According to the survey, boomers
fantasize the most about the freedom to travel (41 percent), winning the
lottery (39 percent), retiring early (28 percent) and even sleeping as late as
they want each and every day (12 percent).
For more tips on how to shop for a mattress and how to get a better
night's sleep, visit the BSC's Web site at http://www.bettersleep.org.
About BSC: Established in 1979, the Better Sleep Council (BSC) is the
consumer education division of International Sleep Products Association
(ISPA). The BSC is devoted to educating the public about the importance of
sleep to good health and quality of life and about the value of the sleep
system and sleep environment in pursuit of a good night's sleep. For more
information, visit http://www.bettersleep.org.
Survey findings are taken from a survey of 500 baby boomers (born
1946-1964), conducted by the polling company(TM), inc. from July 16-18, 2008.
The margin of error is +/- 4.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
SOURCE Better Sleep Council
