UK parents so exhausted they are falling asleep on the toilet, survey finds
Sleep-starved UK parents are dozing off in some seriously unexpected places, with a new survey finding that 1 in 20 have even fallen asleep on the toilet.
The research, commissioned by baby and child sleepwear brand Sleeping Stars, paints a bleak picture of modern family life, with knackered mums and dads admitting they have also nodded off at work, on public transport, on the floor and even in the bath.
While the sofa or living room was the most common place for tired parents to crash, with 38% saying they had fallen asleep there from time to time, the more bizarre results show just how brutal sleep deprivation can be.
The survey found the top five weirdest places UK parents have fallen asleep are:
- On public transport - 14%
- At work - 9%
- On the floor - 6%
- On the toilet - 5%
- In the bath - 4%
The findings suggest that for many working parents, exhaustion is not just a bedtime issue but something spilling into every part of daily life. Ilona Andrews, founder of Sleeping Stars and a certified sleep consultant, said the results point to a growing sleep problem.
She said: “Too many people are going to bed wired and waking up exhausted. These findings show that sleep deprivation is no longer just about feeling a bit tired the next day. It is affecting concentration at work, relationships at home and overall wellbeing.
“Modern life makes it harder than ever to properly switch off. Work pressures, financial worries and constant screen use mean many people struggle to relax before bed, which can make quality sleep much harder to achieve.
“Safe and healthy sleep matters at every age. When people are well rested, whether that is children or adults, it has a huge impact on mood, energy and how households function day to day.
“Sleep should not be treated as a luxury or something we fit around everything else. It is one of the most important foundations of good health, and small changes to evening routines and sleep environments can make a real difference.”
Sleeping Stars is a UK-based, family-owned baby clothing brand specialising in sleepwear designed by a certified sleep consultant and mum.