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Flickr user tinafranklindg
How far would you go to get a decent night’s sleep? If you’re a mom, you're probably so desperate for sleep that you're willing to pay for it, a surprising new survey discovered.
As of a mom three terrible sleepers, I know a little about the type of exhaustion that begets desperation. I’ve tried everything to catch up on sleep, from begging my kids for a few minutes of quiet to bribing them with promises of extra screen time. I've even tried running them ragged at the park in the (futile) quest for a long afternoon nap. The one tactic I haven’t tried? Shelling out a little cash.
After surveying 3,000 people, mattress manufacturer Mattress City discovered that most people are so desperate for a good night's sleep that they'd actually pay for it. New moms, on average, are willing to pay $107.24, while individuals working in healthcare placed the highest value on sleep, reporting that they'd be willing to pay an average of $164 for sweet dreams.
It does seem strange that moms would pay so little. Is it because we’ve given up on the idea of sleep altogether? Or are we just badasses who can power through without adequate rest? Or maybe we're just budget queens, and we know better than to pay a premium for anything if we don't have to.
The survey also broke down the results by state, plugging them into an interactive map. Here in Washington state, adults in all industries would pay an average of $114.74; New Hampshire blew everyone else out of the water, with the average resident reporting a good night’s sleep was worth $200. Cha-ching!
Unfortunately for us sleep-deprived moms, no one is actually selling 40 winks, so we’ve been left to our own devices. Interestingly enough, a lot of people reported having some really awful tactics for getting to sleep when they’re dealing with insomnia.
A large portion of the survey participants, 29.8 percent to be exact, confessed they typically get online or try to get some work done when they can’t sleep. Staying in bed, tossing and turning until they finally doze off, was the approach used by 23.8 percent of respondents and 14.3 percent said they fall back on sleeping pills.
If you’re desperate for some shut-eye, these approaches are actually among the worst things you can try. Any exposure to technology is going to intensify your sleeplessness, since research has made it pretty clear that the blue light of screens screws with your circadian rhythm by suppressing your production of melatonin. Additionally, while sleeping pills can be helpful during a rough night, they’re not great for repeated use since they can lose their effectiveness once your body becomes dependent on them for sleep.
In general, if you’re having a hard time getting the sleep you so desperately need, experts suggest avoiding tech for at least half an hour before bed. Don’t try to force it, either, since this can increase your anxiety and make it harder to doze off. Instead, get up, leave the bedroom and engage in a relaxing activity like reading or meditation until you feel more relaxed.
Of course, as moms we often aren't the ones responsible for our poor sleep. At least some of our rocky nights have to do with our beloved children, and there's no way to buy your way out of that!
