Recently, I had the opportunity to delve into one of the largest sleep studies ever conducted, analyzing 716 million nights of sleep data from Samsung Health users around the globe. This Global Sleep Health Study provided fascinating insights into how sleep patterns vary across different countries. Are Americans getting more rest than Germans? Is Australia a nation of early risers? The findings were surprising, as I initially expected some countries to fare better. The main takeaway? We’re all feeling a bit tired, but which country is the most exhausted?
I’ve created a playful “World Cup of Tiredness” to determine which country enjoys the best sleep and which struggles the most. The goal isn’t to make anyone feel bad about their sleep habits; we’re all in this together. This exploration is sponsored by Samsung, who are doing remarkable work in the field of sleep. As a user of their sleep-tracking watch, I feel a personal connection to this data.
We all know that sleep is vital for maintaining good physical and mental health, preventing diseases, and keeping us energized. Yet, many of us aren’t getting enough rest and are aware of our fatigue. To address this, I immersed myself in academic research and shared my sleep science knowledge on TV. However, one person can only do so much, which is why partnering with Samsung was exciting. With our constant interaction with technology, can we harness it to improve our sleep and overall health?
Let’s dive into which countries are sleeping the best and the worst. Sleep quality, duration, and efficiency all contribute to how restorative our sleep is. We focused on sleep duration and ranked 28 countries to see which ones came out on top.
In 10th place, with an average of 7 hours and 12 minutes of sleep per night, is Norway. Despite the Midnight Sun, which could disrupt sleep, Norwegian sleep remains stable year-round.
Austria and Germany share the 9th and 8th spots, averaging 7 hours and 13 minutes. Austria’s strong work-life balance might allow more time for rest.
Sweden ranks 7th with 7 hours and 16 minutes. The Swedish concept of “lagom,” emphasizing balance, may contribute to their good sleep quality.
The United Kingdom comes in 6th with 7 hours and 19 minutes. A study by the Royal Society of Public Health found that many Britons view sleep as crucial for well-being.
Australia is 5th, averaging 7 hours and 20 minutes. Their outdoor lifestyle likely supports better sleep, as outdoor activities are linked to improved rest.
France takes 4th place with 7 hours and 22 minutes, while Belgium ranks 3rd with 7 hours and 24 minutes, possibly due to similar European lifestyle factors and sleep aid usage.
The Netherlands is 2nd with 7 hours and 27 minutes, and Finland tops the list with 7 hours and 31 minutes. Finland’s high ranking in the World Happiness Report and strong social safety net may enhance their sleep quality.
European countries generally rank higher in sleep quality, while Latin American and Asian countries face challenges, with the US in the middle. Research suggests that higher work or educational demands in Asian countries lead to less sleep and poorer quality.
Environmental and cultural factors significantly influence sleep. While poor sleep is often seen as an individual issue, habits play a crucial role. Habits form through repetition in consistent contexts, making them easier to maintain.
Critics argue that sleep trackers don’t improve sleep. In Samsung’s study, the average sleep duration was below the recommended 7 hours, with decreased efficiency, especially among women and older adults.
Samsung’s personalized sleep coaching aims to help users develop long-term habits for better sleep. The Galaxy Watch 6 and Samsung Health app provide personalized sleep analysis, assisting users in tracking and improving their sleep patterns.
While your environment affects your sleep, small steps can help build better habits. One suggestion is to de-stress in the evening as part of your nighttime routine, which can significantly enhance sleep quality.
Thank you for exploring this topic with me. I hope you find ways to improve your sleep! Special thanks to Samsung for their support and for integrating healthy habits into their products. If you’re interested in more results from the Global Sleep Health Study or want to explore the Galaxy Watch 6 series, check out the links provided. Sleep well!
Examine the sleep data from the Global Sleep Health Study. Identify patterns and differences in sleep duration and quality across various countries. Discuss how cultural, environmental, and technological factors might contribute to these differences.
Engage in a debate about the role of technology in sleep improvement. Consider both the benefits and drawbacks of using sleep trackers like the Samsung Health app. Discuss whether technology can genuinely enhance sleep quality or if it might lead to increased anxiety about sleep.
Develop a personalized sleep improvement plan using insights from the article. Incorporate strategies such as establishing a consistent sleep routine, reducing screen time before bed, and using sleep tracking technology effectively. Share your plan with peers for feedback.
Research and present on sleep practices from different cultures mentioned in the article, such as the Swedish concept of “lagom” or the Finnish approach to well-being. Discuss how these practices might contribute to better sleep and how they can be adapted to your lifestyle.
Design and conduct a survey among your peers to gather data on sleep habits and challenges. Analyze the results to identify common issues and compare them with the findings from the Global Sleep Health Study. Present your findings and suggest potential solutions.
I’ve just done something significant: I gained access to one of the largest sleep studies ever conducted, analyzing 716 million nights of sleep behaviors from Samsung Health users worldwide. One of the most exciting aspects of this Global Sleep Health Study was the ability to compare sleep patterns across entire countries. Are people in the US getting more sleep than those in Germany? Is Australia a nation of early risers? Personally, I found the results surprising, as I initially thought many countries would perform better. My main takeaway is that we are all tired, but is your country the most tired?
I’ve created what resembles a “World Cup of Tiredness” to determine which country is getting the best sleep, which is the most tired, and why. The aim of this video isn’t to make you feel bad about your sleep; we are all in this together. This video is sponsored by Samsung, who approached me because they are doing some impressive work around sleep. I already use their watch to track my sleep, so I feel personally connected to this data set.
We know that sleep is crucial for good physical and mental health, preventing diseases and accidents, and generally keeping us feeling good. However, most of us aren’t getting enough sleep and are aware of our tiredness. I wanted to take action, so I dove into academia, published research papers, and showcased my sleep science knowledge on TV. But one person can only do so much, which is why I was excited to partner with Samsung. We interact with our devices constantly, so can we use technology to improve our sleep and overall health?
Now, let’s explore which countries are sleeping the best and the worst. Sleep quality, duration, and efficiency—all affect how restorative our sleep is. We selected sleep duration and ranked 28 countries to see which one came out on top.
Kicking off in 10th place with an average of 7 hours and 12 minutes of sleep per night is Norway. You might wonder why Norway is on this list, given the Midnight Sun, which could disrupt sleep patterns. However, research shows that while there are seasonal variations in some sleep issues, overall, Norwegian sleep is quite stable year-round.
In equal 9th or 8th place, we have Austria and Germany, averaging 7 hours and 13 minutes of sleep per night. Austria’s high ranking in work-life balance may contribute to people having more time for sleep outside of work.
Sweden comes in 7th with 7 hours and 16 minutes. The Swedish concept of “lagom,” which emphasizes balance in all areas of life, may play a role in their sleep quality.
The United Kingdom ranks 6th with 7 hours and 19 minutes. A 2016 Royal Society of Public Health study found that many Britons consider sleep one of the healthiest activities, ranking it just behind not smoking in importance for well-being.
In 5th place is Australia, averaging 7 hours and 20 minutes of sleep. Australia’s outdoor and fitness culture likely contributes to their sleep patterns, as research indicates that people who spend time outdoors tend to sleep better.
France takes 4th place with 7 hours and 22 minutes. Interestingly, Belgium ranks 3rd with 7 hours and 24 minutes, possibly due to similar factors as other European countries, along with a high rate of sleep aid consumption.
The Netherlands comes in 2nd with 7 hours and 27 minutes of sleep, while Finland tops the list with an impressive 7 hours and 31 minutes. Finland has consistently ranked high in the United Nations World Happiness Report, and their strong social safety net and connection to nature may contribute to their sleep quality.
When looking at the overall results, a clear pattern emerges: European countries tend to cluster at the better end of the sleep spectrum, while Latin American and Asian countries struggle with sleep, with the US falling towards the middle. Research indicates that people in Asian countries often sleep less due to higher work or educational demands, leading to poorer sleep quality.
It’s fascinating to see how environmental and cultural factors influence sleep. Poor sleep is often viewed as an individual problem, but research shows that habits play a significant role in our sleep behavior. Habits are formed through repetition in consistent contexts, making them easier to maintain over time.
A common criticism of sleep trackers is that they don’t improve sleep. In Samsung’s Global Sleep Health Study, the average sleep duration fell below the recommended 7 hours. Many people are experiencing decreased sleep efficiency, with women and older demographics seeing the most significant declines.
Samsung’s focus on personalized sleep coaching aims to help users form long-term habits for better sleep. The Galaxy Watch 6 and Samsung Health app offer personalized sleep analysis, helping users track their sleep patterns and improve their sleep quality.
While the environment where you live does impact your sleep, there are still small steps you can take to build better habits. One recommendation is to take time to de-stress in the evening as part of your nighttime routine. Managing stress can significantly improve sleep quality.
Thank you for watching, and I hope you sleep well! I want to thank Samsung for their support and for integrating healthy habits into their products. If you’re interested in more results from the Global Sleep Health Study or want to check out the Galaxy Watch 6 series, I’ll leave some links in the description. Sleep well!
Sleep – A natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended – Adequate sleep is essential for maintaining cognitive function and overall health.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury – Regular exercise and a balanced diet are crucial for maintaining good health.
Patterns – Repeated or regular ways in which something happens or is done – Understanding sleep patterns can help in diagnosing sleep disorders.
Quality – The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind – The quality of sleep can significantly affect an individual’s daily performance and mood.
Duration – The length of time that something continues or lasts – The recommended duration of sleep for adults is between seven to nine hours per night.
Habits – Regular tendencies or practices, especially ones that are hard to give up – Developing healthy eating habits can improve one’s overall wellness.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry – Advances in technology have led to new treatments and diagnostic tools in healthcare.
Fatigue – Extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness – Chronic fatigue can be a symptom of underlying health issues that require medical attention.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions – Ongoing research in neuroscience is uncovering new insights into the mechanisms of sleep.
Wellness – The state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal – Corporate wellness programs are designed to improve employee health and productivity.
