New research has explored the age-old myth to determine if there really is a wrong side of the bed. The survey results reveal that, on average, 178 nights per year are affected by discomfort during sleep, with only 1 in 6 choosing to sleep in the middle of the bed. However, these lucky sleepers report the least levels of disruption and discomfort.
According to Dr Sophie Bostock, Bensons for Beds’ resident sleep expert, adults should get around 7.5 – 8 hours of sleep per night for optimal health, but does your side of the bed dictate how much sleep you might actually be getting?
The leading bed retailer, Bensons for Beds, has commissioned a survey to explore how your side of the bed may affect your quality of sleep, including how likely you are to experience discomfort in the night.
The study reveals that Brits are plagued by broken sleep, experiencing discomfort for 178 nights per year on average – which equates to nearly half of the year (48%). The figures reflect widespread issues of disrupted sleep, which could have detrimental effects on our energy stores, emotion regulation, memory, focus and concentration.
The survey of 2,000 Brits shows that there is a largely even split between right and left-sided sleepers, with 40% taking to the left and 45% on the right.
Over two-thirds (70%) of those who sleep on the right side of the bed say they experience discomfort when sleeping on one or more nights per week. Of this figure, a third (33%) claim they experience discomfort between 2-3 nights per week when sleeping.
Left-sided sleepers experience a similar frequency of discomfort, with almost 3 in 10 (29%) claiming they experience discomfort between 2 and 3 nights per week when sleeping.
So, it seems that whatever side of the mattress you choose makes little difference when it comes to the quality of sleep experienced. Unless, of course, you’re in the lucky 14% of Brits who take up the whole bed and sleep in the middle.
The survey shows that those who sleep in the middle of the bed are less likely to report discomfort when sleeping – despite this being the least common side of the bed, with almost two-fifths (37%) not reporting any discomfort at all.
Disrupted sleep could be a symptom of many issues, but fundamentally, it may be time to examine whether your mattress needs replacing, according to experts at Bensons for Beds.
Brand Manager Rachel Marshall shares the signs to spot when the time comes to replace your mattress.
“Mattress sagging is one of the key signs that it’s time to reevaluate your sleeping setup. If you lie on the same side of even a firm mattress every night, the fibres can compress, which will lead to sagging. If you share a bed with your partner, this can also cause roll together where springs break, and surfaces deflate, which is why your partner may find yourselves cramped up in the middle of the morning.”
“While some visible signs will make it obvious it’s time to change your mattress, there are some lesser-known indicators that it’s time to swap. A lumpy sleep surface and springs poking you at night can not only prevent you from nodding off but could also keep you awake through the night.”
“Finally, if you wake up feeling sore or achy in the morning, this is a warning sign that your mattress is providing you with the right level of support. If you’re unsure of your support needs, it’s always worth speaking to a bed specialist to identify the correct kind of mattress for your needs.”
For more information on which side you should sleep on, visit the Bensons for Beds website.