Half of Britons sleep four hours or less as sleep crisis grows, survey finds
Dyson-commissioned poll of 2,000 adults finds widespread sleep deprivation affecting work, mood and relationships in the UK.
Half of Britons say they regularly survive on four hours of sleep or less, with more than four in ten getting less than three hours, according to Dyson's survey of 2,000 adults. The average respondent reported six hours and 50 minutes of sleep per night, well below the eight hours the NHS recommends. The discussion nods to a longstanding remark about Margaret Thatcher, who was reportedly able to function on about four hours of sleep.
This gap translates to about 426 hours of sleep lost per year, equivalent to roughly 18 full days. Eight in ten say they regularly struggle through the working day at least twice a week, and more than a third report calling in sick because they were too tired to face the day.
The study found that 69% say they simply don’t get enough sleep, while one in five (19%) say they are constantly tired. About half of respondents live on four hours or less on a regular basis, with sleep deprivation showing up as irritability (47%), poor concentration (44%), mood swings (37%), lack of motivation (33%), and anxiety (28%).
Sleep loss is taking a toll on relationships, with about a quarter (26%) of couples now sleeping in separate beds to get more rest. A lack of shut eye is also straining relationships, with some couples reporting fights and tension linked to fatigue.
Sleep expert James Wilson, a researcher for Dyson, said the findings show a nation of poor sleepers is affecting daily life. He noted that many people are getting by on less than four hours, and that even an hour of sleep can be worrying, contributing to irritability, reduced productivity and strained relationships. He said there are steps people can take to improve sleep, including a consistent wake-up time, a bedtime routine, and cooling the body before sleep.
To help drift off, people employ various strategies: 45% use fans to cool the room, 42% play a relaxing playlist, 37% read, 35% flip the pillow to the cold side, 31% take a bath, and 17% wear an eye mask or listen to a podcast. One in ten use supplements, sleep masks or earplugs, while another 10% deliberately avoid technology before bed.
Bradley Fishwick, Senior Design Engineer at Syson, said the research shows many people are looking for ways to sleep better, especially during the colder, darker months. “We’re seeing people build a better nighttime routine, avoid screens before bed and make small changes to the sleep space,” he said.
Public health context remains mixed. NHS guidelines still recommend about eight hours for adults, and researchers caution against chronic sleep deficits. The Dyson data add to a growing body of evidence that chronic sleep deprivation may affect productivity, mood and relationships.