Top Sleep Improvement Tips: How Millennials’ Healthy Sleep Habits Can Reduce Back Pain and Enhance Sleep Quality
Millennials are increasingly prioritizing sleep quality, using technology and wellness trends to improve their rest. Compared to previous generations, they are more likely to track their sleep patterns and adopt healthier bedtime routines.
A recent survey by Saatva, the Smarter Luxury Sleep Company, found that Millennials sleep longer and better than any other generation. This finding comes from a comprehensive study of 2,000 Americans. The study included participants from Gen Z (1997-2012), Millennials (1981-1996), Gen X (1965-1980), and Boomers (1946-1964). Here is a closer look at how different generations sleep and what keeps them up at night.
Who’s Sleeping Best?
Overall Sleep Duration: 75% of Americans get 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night, but Millennials sleep the most. In the study, 85% of Millennials logged at least 6 hours. Gen X gets the least sleep, with 18% sleeping 5 hours or fewer.
Sleep Quality: Millennials also rate their sleep quality higher than other generations, with nearly half (49%) saying they have good sleep. Gen X reports the worst sleep, with 27% rating their sleep as poor.
Consensus: Across all generations, 41% rate their sleep as “good,” 39% say it’s “okay,” and 20% rate it as “bad.”
Why Millennials Sleep Better
Dr. Shantha Gowda, a licensed clinical health psychologist and founder of ThinkSleep, explains, “Younger people tend to report better sleep quality than older people. It’s a common topic that I see in my practice.” She notes that Gen X faces stress from raising children, caring for parents, and managing demanding jobs. In contrast, younger Millennials and Gen Z prioritize work-life balance. This focus helps improve their sleep quality.
What’s Keeping Americans Up at Night?
The survey also examined the “sleep stealers” robbing Americans of their rest. Here’s what was found:
Top Culprits: Among all generations, the most frequently cited sleep disruptors were finances (35%), physical health (33%), and work (25%).
Social Media Impact: For Gen Z, social media is the biggest disruptor, with over one-third (35%) blaming it for keeping them up at night.
Seeking Help: Gen Z is also the most likely to seek help for anxiety, with nearly one-quarter (24%) having gone to therapy.
Physical Complaints: Back pain is the most frequently reported health issue for all generations (31%), followed by insomnia (20%) and sleep apnea (15%).
Back Pain Across Generations
Back pain was the top complaint for Gen X and Boomers, while 29% of Millennials and 15% of Gen Z reported it too.
Chiropractor Chris Tomshack, CEO and founder of HealthSource Chiropractic, states, “Back pain does not discriminate. It affects all adults to a significant degree without giving credence to psychographics or demographics. Half of adults experience chronic or daily back pain. Additionally, 80% will encounter a back pain event at some point in life.
Sleep Differences Between Men and Women and Couples
The survey revealed interesting differences between the sexes when it comes to sleep:
Importance of Sleep: More women than men consider sleep “very important” (67% vs. 58%), yet they report lower sleep satisfaction.
Sleep Quality: Men rate their sleep quality higher than women, with 45% rating sleep quality as good, vs. only 36% of women.
Struggling with Sleep: More women (23%) than men (16%) report sleeping badly and struggle with falling and staying asleep.
Early Risers: Men are more likely to wake up earlier, with 22% rising between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., vs. 18% of women.
Weekend Sleep: Men are more likely to try to make up for lack of sleep on the weekend, with 38% saying they rise later on the weekend than during the week, vs. 35% of women.
Sleep Divorce: “Sleep divorce” is a trend among all generations, with 16% of partnered couples reporting they sleep in separate beds. Boomers led this trend, with 21% of couples sleeping apart.
“Younger people tend to report better sleep quality than older people. It’s a common topic that I see in my practice.” — Dr. Shantha Gowda, licensed clinical health psychologist and founder of ThinkSleep.
Tips for Better Sleep Across Generations
Different generations have tried various habits to improve their sleep. Here are some common strategies:
Curbing Electronics: Gen Z and Millennials are most likely to have started turning off devices before bed, with 25% adopting this habit.
Cutting Caffeine: All generations cited giving up caffeine before bed as their #1 habit change for better sleep (35%).
Other Habits: Avoiding large evening meals (30%) and limiting water intake before bed (24%) were common habits for better sleep.
Stress Relievers: Music was the most popular stress reliever, with 61% of all respondents using it to relax before sleep.
Substance Use: Millennials most often used cannabis (19%) or alcohol (11%) before bed, while Boomers (18%) preferred sleep supplements.
Understanding these sleep patterns and challenges can help individuals make informed decisions to improve their rest. For those struggling with back pain, Chiropractic Care and high-quality mattresses like those from Saatva can be game changers. Prioritizing sleep health across all generations is key to a healthier, more balanced life.
About Saatva & HealthSource
HealthSource Chiropractic and Saatva have partnered to enhance sleep quality by combining Chiropractic Care and premium sleep products. Founded in 2010, Saatva leads the direct-to-consumer mattress industry with handcrafted, eco-friendly mattresses made in the USA.Their mattresses, including innerspring, memory foam, latex, hybrid, and adjustable air, are designed to provide optimal spinal support. This partnership leverages HealthSource Chiropractic’s expertise in spinal health and Saatva’s quality mattresses to provide comprehensive solutions for restorative sleep.
About the Survey
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,017 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8 and 12 April 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).