How Do Your Sleep Habits Compare to Those of a Doctor?

March 9–15 is National Sleep Awareness Week, a time to focus on how restful sleep is vital for overall health and well-being. You may already know that good sleep helps with everything from mental clarity to back health, but have you ever wondered how your own sleep habits compare to those of board-certified doctors? Below, we reveal results from our physician survey and some tips to help you optimize your rest.

How many hours of sleep should you be getting?

Most adults need seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night. While this can vary based on factors such as age, lifestyle, and health conditions, that benchmark ensures your body has enough time to repair tissues, consolidate memories, and restore energy. When our doctors were asked about their sleep durations, their responses showed a range between six and eight hours.

These results show that even doctors with busy schedules strive to meet recommended sleep goals. After all, getting enough sleep is essential for their performance and well-being, just as it is for you.

What’s the best sleep position?

Finding the “best” sleep position often depends on any underlying conditions you may have. For example, those with chronic back or neck pain may find side-sleeping or lying on their back more comfortable than sleeping on the stomach. Overall, many spine specialists recommend side or back sleeping with proper support.

From our chart, a majority of doctors favor side-sleeping, while a smaller percentage finds comfort on their backs. Whichever position you choose, focus on keeping your spine aligned. This often means placing a pillow under or between your knees and ensuring your neck is supported.

What’s the best mattress and pillow to use?

Selecting a mattress and pillow involves personal preference as well as physical needs. A supportive mattress helps keep your spine aligned and memory foam or hybrid mattresses often top the list for spine comfort. As for pillows, contour or memory foam styles can help maintain proper neck alignment. Our surveyed doctors reported these top choices for mattress types, found to the right.

Pay close attention to how you feel in the morning. If you regularly wake up stiff or in pain, consider trying a different mattress or pillow type to see if it makes a difference.

What’s the best sleeping environment?

A soothing environment is essential for high-quality rest. Preferences vary—some people sleep better with absolute quiet and a cooler temperature, while others find that soft white noise helps them relax. According to our data, a majority of our doctors prefer colder temperature and silence.

Whatever your preference, make sure the temperature is comfortable, the room is dark, and noise is minimized (or controlled with a sound machine) to encourage deeper and more restorative sleep.

Celebrate National Sleep Awareness Week

While National Sleep Awareness Week serves as a reminder, it’s important to focus on good sleep habits all year. Sufficient rest benefits your immune system, reduces stress, and helps your spine recover from activities. If you’re experiencing chronic pain or have trouble finding a comfortable position, consider consulting a spine specialist. Whether it’s adjusting your mattress, changing your sleep posture, or tweaking your bedtime routine, small changes can have a big impact on your overall health.

Take this week as an opportunity to re-evaluate your sleep environment and habits. By prioritizing proper rest, you set yourself up for an improved mood and a better quality of life—just like the spine doctors who recognize the power of a good night’s sleep.