New Study by Sleep Number Provides Actionable Data for Better Sleep Health

Corporate social responsibility initiatives are always most effective when the cause is authentic to the brand. As such, sleep health for youth is a perfect fit for Sleep Number, which has completed a new study to promote better wellness and understanding in this area. This study is part of Sleep Number’s commitment to improving the lives of one million youth through better sleep by 2025. It also enables Sleep Number to offer research-backed solutions to help improve their concentration, sports performance, stress levels, and overall sleep health.
 
Building on previous research that showed sleep deprivation in 71 percent of middle and high school students, the data revealed that students lost up to a full night of sleep every week due to poor sleep habits. Sleep Number’s new in-home study of 50 middle and high school students provides actionable steps to help teens get better sleep and perform at their best this school year.
 
In the eight-week study, Sleep Number found three key elements that improved the teens’ sleep quality:
 

  • Practicing a consistent sleep schedule. This includes committing to going to bed and waking up at a similar time (within 30 minutes) every day, even on the weekends.
  • Creating a relaxing bedtime routine. This prepares the body for sleep and signals the mind that sleep is coming soon. This routine needs to begin 20-60 minutes prior to bedtime and include anything from picking out an outfit for the next day, listening to relaxing music, or journaling.
  • Getting the right type of light exposure. Avoid screen use or use blue blocker glasses for one hour before bed. Also, get at least 15 minutes of bright light first thing in the morning.
 
“As a purpose-driven company, Sleep Number is committed to helping youth be their best every day and this starts with educating them on the important role sleep plays in their lives,” says Shelly Ibach, President & CEO of Sleep Number, and Sleep Editor-at-Large for Thrive Global. “We also wanted to give teens, parents, and educators a few simple and proven ways to achieve higher quality sleep at the start of the school year. Committing to these three daily activities and making them a routine helped participants get almost 50 extra minutes of sleep each week. Our SleepIQ data proves that simple changes to a student’s sleep routine can truly be a game-changer!”
 
Better Sleep Leads to Improved Moods for Teens
 
Participating teens incorporated two of the recommended daily activities into their routines to see how they impacted sleep quality and quantity. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine and “practicing a consistent sleep schedule” were the most successful daily activities, resulting in 93 percent of participants reporting “better sleep.”
 
77 percent of teens who maintained a consistent sleep schedule reported at least one positive mood change. Teens found that when they included next-day preparations in their bedtime routine, like picking out their clothes or reviewing the next day’s schedule, they felt less stressed and more prepared for the next day. Additionally, one-third of parents in our study recognized that their teen had more patience and was less stressed than usual.
 
“Being a teenager is stressful enough. But when teens don’t get the sleep they need, they’re at a serious risk of burnout,” says Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global. “That’s why Sleep Number’s commitment to helping them improve their sleep is so important. When teens get the support they need, they’ll be equipped to make the most of the coming school year and build healthy sleep habits that last a lifetime.”
 
Alexis Glick, CEO of youth health and wellness non-profit GENYOUth, adds, “We are thrilled to build upon our teen insights with Sleep Number to better understand youth sleep habits. A healthy sleep regimen is key to quality sleep, which supports the development of healthy, high-achieving youth. This new study highlights that when given the right tools, teens can achieve quality sleep and reduce stress and ultimately improve their daily lives. This study reinforces Sleep Number’s ongoing commitment to work in partnership with us to improve the wellbeing of youth.”
 
Kathy Higgins, Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Chief Executive Officer, also comments, “Research continues to show that healthy habits are critical to youth and their ability to be productive and engaged throughout the day. Sleep Number’s study showcases the undeniable power of consistent, quality sleep to support youth. Together with Sleep Number, we look forward to utilizing this study to help students build healthy sleep habits, achieve better quality sleep, and support their performance in all aspects of their lives.”
 
 

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