Over Half of the UK Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep—And It’s Impacting Our Health
A new report from bamboo bedding retailer Panda London has revealed that 58% of the UK population are getting less than the recommended 7+ hours of sleep per night, putting them at higher risk of developing serious health problems.
The data from the 2025 version of the annual Panda Sleep Report shows that the most common amount of sleep per night in the UK is between 5 and 6 hours, leaving a sleep deficit of over an hour for most sleepers.
This lack of sleep is bad news for the health of the UK, with Harvard studies suggesting that people who consistently fail to get enough sleep are at an increased risk of diabetes, obesity and other chronic health conditions, as well as poor mood, diminished cognitive function and mental health problems.1
To help the UK sleep for longer, experts at Panda London reveal three tips to follow.
1. Keep your bedroom cool
Tamir Teitelbaum, Founder of Panda London, explains, “Bedroom temperature plays a big part in staying asleep. To sleep well, our core body temperature needs to drop, but for many, getting too hot is one of the most common reasons for waking up during the night and suffering from disrupted sleep.
The ideal cool and comfortable temperature for a bedroom is around 15-20°C, which can easily be achieved with a few tweaks to your sleep environment.
Opening windows and adjusting thermostats is the obvious first step, but if you still find yourself getting too hot during the night, naturally thermoregulating bedding, made from breathable materials like bamboo, can also help by venting excess heat away from the body.”
2. Adjust your diet
“Nutrition probably isn’t the first thing you think of as affecting bedtime, but what you eat in the run up to bedtime can play a big part in getting a good night’s sleep”, explains Aimee Victoria Long, fitness expert at Panda London.
“Some of the worst foods to eat too close to bedtime are foods high in sugar and processed starches – these foods cause blood sugar spikes, boosting energy quickly before causing a crash, which disrupts sleep patterns. Spicy foods and anything with caffeine are also best avoided before bed, as they raise your body temperature, working against the lowering of your core body temperature.
Instead, try incorporating foods high in melatonin in the evening to help you drift off more quickly and enjoy a deeper, uninterrupted sleep. Almonds, bananas, fish and berries are perfect for this.”
3. Choose the right mattress
“Choosing the right mattress for your individual sleep needs can be the difference between a good night’s sleep and a great one,” says Tamir.
“When looking for a mattress, you should consider your preferred sleep position, any back or joint issues you have, whether you sleep hot or cold, your body weight, and if you have any allergies or sensitivities.
Whilst the right mattress alone may not be able to fix your bad back or alleviate your allergy symptoms, it can help to reduce discomfort, provide better support, and create a more conducive sleep environment – all of which will help you drift off and stay asleep for longer.”
How to create an allergy proof bedroom during hayfever season, by a sleep-expert
