Sleep Habits Around the World

I sleep, you sleep, we all sleep

Ever wonder how other people around the world sleep? When some of us are just waking up in the morning, the other side of the world is getting ready for bed – and that’s just a taste of different sleep patterns. Which countries are more likely to embrace sleeping in the nude and which ones are praised for napping on the job?

While we all want a comfortable sleep bed and cozy sheets, what do other cultures around the globe prefer when it comes to catching some zzz’s?

Fun sleep facts from around the world

1. Residents of Japan and the United States get the least amount of sleep.
2. People in the United States are more likely to sleep with a pet.
3. 1/3 of people in the United Kingdom prefer to sleep in their birthday suits.
4. Americans love their pillows, most tending to sleep with more than one at a time.
5. In Mexico, they make their beds in the morning when they rise and many change their sheets more than once a week.
6. While watching TV before bed seems to be a (mostly) global habit, people in France generally poo-poo late night electronic distractions and opt for a good meal with friends or family. In Mexico, they prefer praying or meditating before bed.
7. Many Mediterranean countries (including Italy and Spain) have culturally ingrained siestas. After lunch, many businesses close down and everyone heads home for a long afternoon nap. They often work later hours to offset their siestas.
8. The Japanese are known for taking a nap at work, known as inemuri. Napping at work in Japan shows an employee’s professional commitment to working hard long hours – the nap is a sign the employee will arrive early and stay later into the night.
9. In Afghanistan, not only do family members all sleep in the same room, but in the morning, they fold up their mattresses and blankets so the room is available for daytime use. Even houseguests are expected to join the pajama party.
10. In Scandinavia, it’s not uncommon for people to leave their babies by themselves to nap outside in strollers – even during the winter. In fact, children often sleep outside during the day, both at daycare and on the sidewalk while the parents are inside a café or restaurant. Many parents believe that the cold air is healthy for children.
11. While kids in the United States tend to have earlier bedtimes, giving parents a few hours of grown-up time in the evenings, in Spain and Argentina, kids burn the midnight oil right beside their parents, often staying up as late as 10:00 pm.
12. In the United Kingdom, a relaxing drink, such as tea, before heading to bed is a common activity.

How do your sleep patterns match others from around the world? Do you have a global sleep perspective or do you tend to fall in line with your fellow country men and women? Weigh in the comments below and let’s see how you stack up!

 Sleep writer, Jessa Gamble reveals the surprising and substantial program of rest we should be observing: