Did you know that 15 per cent of men say they are guided by superstition when choosing a side, compared to 10 per cent of women? That’s according to data from our survey that revealed the truth about how superstitions impact sleep routines, including which side of the bed we sleep on.
Choosing a side of the bed based on superstitions is also more commonplace in younger adults, with 33 per cent of 18–24-year-olds doing so.
London was found to be the most superstitious area, with 21 per cent of Londoners allowing their feelings to dictate which side of the bed they sleep on, compared to just five per cent of those in Wales.
Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, said: “Superstitions can have a huge impact on our sleep, whether they dictate which side of the bed we sleep on or the steps in our night-time routines.
“Many superstitions lead to subconscious habit building that can often be tricky to break, especially if we associate the rituals with good sleep.”
Other common sleep superstitions include:
- Avoiding cheese before bedtime to prevent nightmares
- Ensuring you get out of ‘the right side of bed’
- Letting children check under the bed for monsters
“It’s always interesting to examine which sleep superstitions are affecting people,” Lisa continued.
“While it is a myth that cheese gives you bad dreams, your diet can impact your sleep.
“Avoid eating right before bed and stay away from spicy foods and alcohol at your evening meal.
“When it comes the teenagers and sleep, teens can often be branded as lazy, while young children may experience fear around going to sleep, but that is not necessarily the case.
“During our teenage years we go through a biological shift to our circadian rhythms, meaning teens may tend to be more of a night owl than an early bird.
“And contrary to the popular saying, there is no wrong side of the bed. It’s all about finding something that’s comfy and works for you!”
If you’d like to talk about your sleep, you can call the National Sleep Helpline on 03303 530 541.
*Survey of 2,000 people conducted by OnePoll on behalf of The Sleep Charity and National Bed Federation in February 2022