Miles to go before we sleep well, new study finds
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, April 14, 2002
TRINITY, N.C. — A new survey of Americans' sleep habits shows a continuing need to educate consumers about the importance of sleep, according to Sealy, the industry's largest bedding producer.
The survey, released by the prestigious National Sleep Foundation, indicates that many problems and frustrations that have become part of the American way of life — from anger and stress to obesity — may have inadequate sleep or other common sleep problems as contributing factors.
More than 80% of American adults link inadequate sleep with impaired daytime performance and behavior, and 27% rate their own quality of sleep as fair or poor.
The NSF, which releases a sleep survey annually, said the latest results reveal what may be a slight trend toward less sleep. Compared to last year, fewer adults appear to be getting eight or more hours of sleep each night (30% vs. 38%).
The poll also indicates a relationship between quality of sleep and the comfort of the mattress. Poll respondents who said they sleep poorly were more likely to say that their mattress is uncomfortable and does not provide adequate support.
Sealy officials said that is one of the reasons they're working with the NSF to develop programs that address the issue of sleep and help educate Americans about its importance. Those programs will help consumers understand the important role the sleep surface plays in achieving deep, restorative sleep, the company said.
Sealy is a sponsor of National Sleep Awareness Week (April 1-7).
"The process of education is under way, but when you consider most respondents (91%) recognize the importance of the mattress yet continue to suffer from a lack of quality sleep (27%), it's clear we still have a long way to go," said Ron Jones, Sealy's chairman and chief executive officer.
"Sealy and the NSF have recently implemented a sleep wellness training program for retail sales associates, which provides a platform for discussing sleep health with consumers right at the time of purchase," Jones added. "We encourage consumers to examine the mattress they're currently sleeping on to see if that might be part of the problem."
Sealy's partnership with the NSF includes sleep wellness information programs at stores featuring displays, brochures and other educational materials designed to increase public awareness of sleep.
Sealy and the NSF are also collaborating to develop comprehensive sleep health training programs for retail sales associates.
"We are excited to have Sealy as a sponsor of National Sleep Awareness Week," said Richard Gelula, executive director of the NSF. "Sealy's commitment to research and development has resulted in a heritage of products designed to provide optimal conditions for healthy, restorative sleep. Now that same energy is being put into sleep education. The poll results this year indicate the average American still suffers from inadequate sleep, but hopefully through our joint efforts we can reverse this trend."
The NSF is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving an understanding of sleep and sleep disorders, and by supporting education, sleep-related research and advocacy. The foundation is based in Washington, D.C.
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