New Study Reports Americans Have Most Difficulty Falling Asleep on Sunday Night

NEW YORK, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent study conducted by Toluna Omnibus, a leading online panel and survey provider, finds Americans have the most difficulty falling asleep on Sunday night, as compared to the other nights of the week.

The study surveyed a representative sample of more than 3,000 adults across the country, considering: Gender, Age, Employment, Education, HH Income, Race, Marital Status, Residence and U.S. Region. The results showed that 39% of respondents identified Sunday as the most difficult night to fall asleep, double the percent of those who identified the next closest night, Saturday with just 19%. Tuesday and Thursday were identified as the easiest nights to fall asleep, with just 5% indicating difficulty. Of the 39% selecting Sunday, 70% reported it takes them at least a half hour longer to fall asleep on Sunday than on other nights.

The Sleep Doctor®, Michael Breus, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and Sleep Expert, wasn't surprised and partially attributes these findings to Social Jet Lag, the common phenomenon that finds many of us staying up too late and getting up too early for work or social obligations, which contributes to difficulty transitioning to and anticipating the week ahead.

"Today's 365/24/7, always connected society wrecks havoc on our body's clock," said Dr. Breus. "I recommend proactively changing behavior to lessen the effects of Sunday Night Sleeplessness, and implementing an overall good sleep hygiene program on Sundays and throughout the rest of the week, with these six tactics:"

1. "Try a natural sleep supplement to help you relax and fall asleep, but one that won't leave you feeling drowsy the next morning. I recommend Dream Water, which is fast-acting, natural and comes in a 2.5oz shot. Using Dream Water, or any sleep supplement, on those nights you have difficulty falling asleep can help maintain your regular schedule and achieve a more restorative night's sleep. (Dream Water is available at Wal-Mart checkouts and sleep aid aisles nationwide, $2.48/bottle)

2. "Limit caffeine after 2 p.m. and avoid using alcohol. Look for hidden sources of caffeine -- it can stay in your system for 8 -12 hours. While alcohol may help you fall asleep, it keeps you in the lighter stages of sleep, making it harder to stay asleep and decreasing the quality of sleep."

3. "Try to keep your sleep schedule as regular as possible, by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. It is most important to try and get up at the same time, or at least within 30 minutes of regular wake time."

4. "Use a Worry Journal before you go to bed. On one side of a piece of paper, write down the things that are bothering you.  Next to them, write down a solution, even if it is to think about the worry tomorrow. The goal is to get thoughts out of your head, on to the page, and scheduled for active thought at another time."

5. "Make sure your environment is conducive to good sleep: cool, with a room temperature between 65 and 72 degrees, dark and comfortable, with a supportive mattress and pillow. To block out light, I like the Dream Essentials Escape™ Luxury Travel & Sleep Mask, because of its adjustability, wash-ability and eye cavities, which allow for complete coverage without any pressure on the eyes. (Escape™ Luxury Travel & Sleep Mask is available at dreamessentials.com, $22.95).

6. "Get sunlight to reset your body clock.  Go outside in the sunshine first thing in the morning for at least 15 minutes or utilize light therapy techniques. The Philips Hf3321 Golite is an affordable light-therapy device, which uses a blue light and is small, compact and easy to use. (Philips Hf3321 Golite is available at Amazon.com, $129.99).

For more information please visit: www.SundaySleep.com

About Dr. Michael Breus:

Clinical Psychologist and Sleep Expert, Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., is both a Diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

The author of several books, including The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan: Lose Weight Through Better Sleep, Dr. Breus is also the creator of The Dr. Breus Bed^®, the first and only mattress collection ever designed by a sleep specialist and The Dr. Breus Pillow™ collection. He has appeared on CNN, Oprah, The View, Dr. Oz and The Doctors, and is a regular contributor to WebMD magazine, The Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and ShareCare. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Breus trains other sleep doctors and consults with major airlines, hotel chains, mattress manufacturers and retailers.

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SOURCE Toluna Omnibus