Sleep Hygiene Practices of Good and Poor Sleepers in the United States: An Internet-Based Study☆☆This work was supported by a grant from the University of Memphis, Department of Psychology.

Although sleep hygiene practices were generally good, poor sleepers showed increased cognitive activity in the bed, even after controlling for global indices of depression and anxiety.

Abstract

This Internet-based investigation assessed the frequency of multiple sleep hygiene practices in 128 good sleepers and 92 poor sleepers (mean age = 41.6, SD = 12.8, 61.8% women). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure sleep quality ( 7 = poor sleep). Although sleep hygiene practices were generally good, poor sleepers showed increased cognitive activity in the bed, even after controlling for global indices of depression and anxiety. Poor sleepers also reported statistically significant increases in excessive noise in the bedroom, uncomfortable nighttime temperature, and activities that were exciting, emotional, or demanded high concentration near bedtime. Future studies should further investigate the prevalence of these variables and their potential impact on sleep quality.