Our Bedrooms Aren’t Refuges Anymore – Working, Studying and Eating in Them is Bad for Our Sleep
The Changing Role of Bedrooms
It’s the end of a long day, and you’re finally home, ready to unwind and recharge for the next day. You head to your bedroom, hoping to find solace and relaxation in your personal refuge. But, it’s not just a place for sleeping anymore. Our recently published study shows that your bedroom has become a catch-all place for all sorts of activities – from work to entertainment to exercise – and it’s having a major impact on your sleep.
The Study
We asked 300 Australians about their sleep environments and how they use them. Half of them said they have or might have a sleep problem. And almost half said their bedroom was also their living space, and they would prefer a different arrangement.
The Impact of Multi-Functional Bedrooms
Despite this preference, with the rise of remote work and digital entertainment, many of us have transformed our bedrooms into multi-functional spaces. We use them for work calls and emails, watch movies or play video games, and even exercise before bed. This versatility comes at a cost. It can be difficult to mentally disconnect from these activities and create a peaceful environment that promotes restful sleep.
What’s Driving These Changes?
Urban density, rising rents, and housing costs, and changes in how we work affect how we use our bedrooms and what they mean to us. The COVID pandemic meant more people started working from home, and many had a set-up in their bedrooms. Using the bed for activities other than sleeping became more common.
The Importance of Sleep
Like eating, sleep is fundamental for human survival. Sleep studies show a lack of sleep has significant impacts on our wellbeing, mental and physical health, as well as social and work performance. Despite its importance and the fact that we spend around a third of our lives asleep, our domestic sleep spaces and how we use them are relatively unexplored.
The Sleep Environment
The sleep environment plays a significant role in the way we sleep, and we wanted to learn more about where we sleep today when it isn’t simply a room with a bed. And not everyone sleeps in a bed. Sofa beds are the second-most-mentioned sleep space in our study, while close to 10% sleep in a spare room, and 1% sleep in a car.
Activities in the Sleep Environment
About 50% sometimes or always use the bed for studying, working, or eating. And 59 respondents had a desk in their bedrooms, while 80 mentioned studying or working from their bedrooms, and 104 mentioned using their laptops. One in six people worked from their bed. Among the other activities in the sleep environment, watching TV or streaming shows was predictably the most common, followed by reading, studying or working, eating, and then exercising.
Time Spent in the Sleep Environment
People spent an average of about 9.5 hours a day in their sleep environment but just over seven hours sleeping. That’s two-and-a-half hours a day in their sleep area not sleeping. About 20% of respondents spend 12 or more hours in the rooms they sleep in.
Concerns about Sleep
One of the significant concerns to highlight is about a quarter mentioned having a sleep problem, and another 26% were not sure whether they have a sleep problem or not. That suggests nearly 50% are not sleeping well. While 60% said they have a consistent sleeping routine, these figures suggest a consistent routine isn’t necessarily a good routine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our study highlights the changing role of bedrooms and the impact it has on our sleep. As we continue to work, study, and entertain in our bedrooms, it’s essential to consider the effects it has on our sleep quality and overall wellbeing.
FAQs
Q: What is the main finding of the study?
A: The main finding of the study is that our bedrooms are no longer just a place for sleeping, but have become multi-functional spaces for work, entertainment, and exercise, which can negatively impact our sleep.
Q: What are the most common activities people do in their bedrooms?
A: The most common activities people do in their bedrooms include watching TV or streaming shows, reading, studying or working, eating, and exercising.
Q: How many people spend 12 or more hours in their sleep environment?
A: About 20% of respondents spend 12 or more hours in the rooms they sleep in.
Q: What percentage of people have a sleep problem?
A: About 25% of people mentioned having a sleep problem, and another 26% were not sure whether they have a sleep problem or not.
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