Survey Shows Nearly Half of Brits Are Dreading the Summer
Survey Shows Nearly Half of Brits Are Dreading the Summer
- Summer Heatwave of 2018 Badly Affected Sleep of 66% of Brits -
- National Tog Day to help Brits prepare for better sleep in 2019 -
Millions of Brits are dreading the surge in temperature this Summer as a result of poor sleep during last year’s heatwave, according to recent research by Soak&Sleep:
- 47% of those surveyed reported that they are dreading the hot weather this Summer because they experience discomfort sleeping in the heat – 66% nationwide said they were affected in 2018 when temperatures reached 35.3 degrees and uninterrupted hot weather lasted for more than six weeks
- Londoners were the most affected, with 70% saying their sleep was impacted in 2018
- Younger people were most likely to be bothered by the heat – 42% of 18-34 year olds were impacted ‘a great deal’ and 79% said they were dreading a repeat of the heatwave
Hot weather is one of the most common factors affecting sleep in the UK, with only a minority of households having the ability to control temperature in the bedroom with air conditioning units. When asked what actions people took to combat the heat:
- 50% said they slept with the windows open
- Younger respondents were likely to take more drastic measures such as sleeping with a wet or damp towel as a blanket (16% of 18-34 year olds) or putting their sheets or nightwear in the freezer! (17% of 18-34 year olds)
- 23% said they were more likely to sleep naked
- 62% of those surveyed said they didn’t consider switching to a lighter duvet
To help people avoid sleepless nights this year, Soak&Sleep have partnered with AccuWeather to create ‘National Tog Day’ so the UK can prepare their bedroom environment in plenty of time for warmer weather. AccuWeather have pinpointed Tuesday 28th May as the best day to change bedding to lighter options, based on upcoming weather forecasts and historic data.
Charlie Hunt, Soak&Sleep CEO said: We know that there is an ideal temperature for sleep, and when environmental temperatures rise, it takes longer to fall asleep and there is more frequent waking and less dreaming. Often we see a spike in sales for things like 4.5 tog duvets when the temperatures have already risen, and customers are already missing out on vital sleep.
“In the same way people change their clothing wardrobes in accordance with the weather, it makes sense to have a Summer Sleep Wardrobe that includes things like a Summer weight duvet, Tencel fabric bedding which wicks heat away from the body and cotton or linen bed-linen which allows heat to escape and removes perspiration from the skin. The technology is there to ensure we all get a good night’s sleep, whatever the weather.”
Brian Lavery, AccuWeather’s Managing Director, Europe, added: “We know that people use weather apps for planning for all kinds of daytime activities but rarely do people plan for warmer, or colder, conditions at night in the same way. By looking at upcoming weather patterns we predict a real shift in night-time temperatures from 28 May, with houses retaining daytime heat, less breeze and less rain to cool evenings down. And whilst we can’t yet predict another heatwave, events like this are becoming more common, so it’s best to be prepared!”
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For more information or interviews please contact:
- Blaise Gapp or Ruth Welton at Soak&Sleep: pr@soakandsleep.com /
- +44 1483 616442
- Rhonda Seaton or Eston Martz at AccuWeather: pr@accuweather.com / +1 814 235 8622
Editor’s Notes
An online survey was conducted by Atomik Research among 2,003 respondents. The research fieldwork took place between the 1st and the 7th of May 2019. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and abides to MRS code.
Soak&Sleep
Soak&Sleep is one of the UK’s leading online bedding and bath brands, working tirelessly to create solutions that help you sleep well at night. Rated as ‘excellent’ with a 9.5 customer score by Trustpilot, the brand is known for outstanding customer service and great product quality at affordable prices. For further information visit: www.soakandsleep.com
About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, has saved tens of thousands of lives, prevented hundreds of thousands of injuries and tens of billions of dollars in property damage. With global headquarters in State College, PA and other offices around the world, AccuWeather serves more than 1.5 billion people daily to help them plan their lives and get more out of their day through radio, television, newspapers, smart phones, tablets, connected TVs, the AccuWeather Network and AccuWeather.com. Additionally, AccuWeather produces and distributes news, weather content, and video for more than 180,000 third-party websites. Among AccuWeather’s many innovative and award-winning features available free to the public are MinuteCast® Minute by Minute™ forecasts with Superior Accuracy™. Furthermore, AccuWeather serves more than half of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of businesses globally. Dr. Joel N. Myers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, established AccuWeather in 1962 and is considered the "father of modern commercial meteorology." Dr. Myers, a leading creative thinker and visionary, has been named "the most accurate man in weather" by The New York Times and one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur’s Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs.