Exhausted Brits losing 650 hours of sleep annually - but 1 thing could help
Brits are losing nearly a month's worth of sleep - but a sleep expert suggests one thing could help.
Exhausted Brits are losing around 650 hours of sleep a year – the equivalent of nearly a full month – according to new research. Over four in 10 UK adults (41%) get less than six hours a night, while 63% regularly feel sleep-deprived. Sleep expert Amy Cheseldine, founder of The Good Sleep Method, says the UK’s sleep debt shouldn’t be ignored, as it can affect energy levels, mood and overall wellbeing.
“It’s very concerning that Brits are losing so much sleep, particularly as sleep deprivation is linked to long-term health issues including cognitive decline, cardiovascular problems and weight gain,” she said. The latest research by TUI found growing one simple thing could help repay the debt - taking a holiday. According to the study, Brits regain almost five hours of sleep in just one week away, and Amy agrees.
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“Time away from your usual routine can be a powerful reset, reducing daily stress, increasing time outdoors and helping the body fall back into a natural sleep rhythm,” Amy says.
“You can think of it like topping up a savings account. If you’ve built up sleep debt over time, even a week away can start to repay that deficit and leave you feeling noticeably more rested, with benefits that continue even after you return.”
A 13% of us now track our sleep quality on apps, smart watches or fitness bands. To help recover their sleep deficit at home, Brits resort to desperate ‘hacks’.
Over a quarter (27%) flip the pillow to find the cool side, 25% fall asleep with the TV on and 22% rely on blackout curtains or eye masks.
But when Brits get a break from everyday pressures, it’s not long before the naps start. Nearly a third (30%) admit to napping in their hotel room, while 24% doze off on a sun lounger and 18% get a few hours on the beach, under a parasol.
Others sleep so deeply while they’re away they miss breakfast (15%), take “quick naps” that last far longer than planned (15%) or even have a nap before and after dinner (15%). Unsurprisingly, 83% say they feel more rested after a holiday.
David Alvarez, Wellness Manager for TUI’s flagship hotel brand, TUI BLUE, said: “When people go on holiday, they naturally slip into healthier sleep rhythms - morning sunlight, afternoon siestas, quiet surroundings and the freedom to nap all help repay the sleep deficit we build up at home.
“And our hotels are designed to create the optimum environments for restoration, relaxation and blissful sleep.”
The teams at TUI BLUE have spent weeks getting everything perfect for the start of the summer season. Across their hotels, more than 90, 000 pillows have been fluffed, 20,000 mattresses turned, and engineers are oiling and testing thousands of blackout blinds.
Amy says: “The biggest reason people sleep better on holiday is simple – the environment does the hard work for you.
“You’re exposed to more natural light during the day, often while being more active. Staying in a hotel with a larger, more comfortable bed can feel like an instant upgrade – giving you the space to properly stretch out and relax in a way you can’t always do at home.
“Add in quieter surroundings, darker rooms, fresh air, the sound of waves crashing on the beach and fewer interruptions, and it’s the perfect environment for deeper, more restorative sleep. That’s why people don’t just sleep longer when they’re away – they sleep better.”
For those looking to create the right conditions for better sleep, David points to a number of hotels designed with rest and relaxation in mind.
Closer to home, TUI BLUE Matta Village in Italy is set within a pine forest, pairing fresh air and quiet surroundings with wellness activities like yoga and meditation. Similarly, TUI BLUE Adriatic Beach in Croatia offers a peaceful beachfront setting, reducing urban noise while encouraging slower, more relaxed days.
In Greece, TUI BLUE Meltemi is an adult-only hotel designed to minimise common sleep disruptions, with added touches like late-riser breakfasts to ease the pressure of early mornings. Meanwhile, TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Fethiye in Turkey combines features such as swim-up pools, hammam access and spa facilities to create a calming, sleep-friendly environment.
Further afield, TUI BLUE Passage in Thailand offers a more secluded escape, with just 50 rooms and a quiet beachfront location that helps guests fully switch off.
To help Brits claw back their lost sleep, Amy has outlined a simple “Sleep Reset Index” – a checklist of the key habits that help the body properly switch off on holiday:
- Soak up the sunshine: morning light helps reset your body clock so you sleep better at night
- Switch off completely: no emails, alarms or daily stress to keep your mind racing
- Ditch the alarm clock: wake up when your body’s ready
- Stretch out in a proper bed: bigger, comfier beds and blackout rooms make all the difference
- Spend your days outdoors: swimming, strolling or just relaxing in the fresh air helps you drift off faster
- Take a short nap: whether it’s by the pool, on a lounger or in your room
- Eat, relax, repeat: long dinners, good food and slower days help your body properly unwind
