New survey data reveals that work, school, and household duties often eclipse recommended sleep duration across American households.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Sleep Prioritization: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine survey found that 42% of US adults prioritize family or household duties over sleep, while 32% prioritize work and school schedules.
- Gender Differences: Women were more likely than men to report sacrificing recommended sleep for domestic and caregiving responsibilities, at 45% compared to 40%.
- Routine Reset: Clinical experts recommend establishing structured bedtime routines ahead of school-year schedule changes to support long-term physical and mental wellness.
Getting sufficient sleep often takes a back seat to the daily pressures of employment, academics, and household management, according to new survey data [PDF] from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
According to the findings, nearly one-third (32%) of US adults report that work and school commitments take priority over sleep, while 42% say family or household responsibilities come first. The data also revealed differences between genders, with 45% of women reporting that they prioritize domestic obligations over recommended sleep duration, compared to 40% of men.
With early school drop-offs, extracurricular obligations, and evening homework contributing to disrupted family schedules, the seasonal return to classes frequently demands an intentional reset of daily sleep habits, according to the AASM.
“Setting a consistent bedtime routine is very important, especially for children, who need more sleep for overall health and wellness,” said Dr Shalini Paruthi, sleep medicine physician and spokesperson for the AASM, in a news release. “Making an intentional shift from summertime habits to more regimented school-year habits can be difficult, which is why the AASM encourages starting the transition as soon as possible.”
Recommended Sleep Targets
The AASM guidelines state that adults should obtain seven hours or more of sleep each night to support optimal physical and mental health. For pediatric and adolescent age groups, recommended durations are substantially higher: children aged 6 to 12 years require nine to 12 hours of sleep nightly, while teenagers aged 13 to 18 years should get eight to 10 hours per night.
According to the organization, maintaining regular sleep-wake timing plays a critical role in overall wellness, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance during the academic year. To help families adapt, the AASM provides an online bedtime calculator and resources to identify appropriate bedtimes based on target wake-up times and age groups.
Survey Methodology
The survey findings were derived from an online poll of 2,007 US adults commissioned by the AASM and conducted by Atomik Research, an independent market research firm. According to the news release, fieldwork occurred between June 5 and June 13, 2025, with an overall margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points at a 95% confidence interval.
