Survey: Work and Family Routines Undermine
A survey finds work, school, and family duties cause many U.S. adults to deprioritize sleep, with women especially impacted by household demands.
Nearly one-third of American adults say work and school schedules take priority over sleep. Almost half report that family or household responsibilities come before getting the recommended amount of sleep, according to a new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
The online survey of 2,007 U.S. adults was conducted between June 5 and June 13, 2025. The findings highlight a widespread conflict between daily obligations and healthy sleep routines.
Survey Reveals Competing Priorities
The data shows a clear tension. 32% of adults prioritize work and school over sleep. A larger group, 42%, say family or household duties take precedence. Women are more likely to report this family-related sleep sacrifice, at 45%, compared to 40% of men.
With the school season requiring a reset of family routines, the AASM emphasizes the importance of making sleep a deliberate priority. Dr. Shalini Paruthi, a sleep medicine physician and AASM spokesperson, stressed the need for consistency. "Making an intentional shift from summertime habits to more regimented school-year habits can be difficult," she said. The AASM encourages starting this transition as soon as possible.
Recommended Sleep Needs by Age
The AASM provides specific sleep duration recommendations for different age groups. These guidelines form the basis for understanding what is being sacrificed.
| Age Group | Recommended Sleep per Night |
|---|---|
| Adults | 7 hours or more |
| Children (6-12 years) | 9 to 12 hours |
| Teenagers (13-18 years) | 8 to 10 hours |
The organization offers a bedtime calculator on its website to help families identify appropriate bedtimes based on age and wake-up time.
Practical Tips for Healthier Sleep Routines
To help families protect sleep time, the AASM offers several actionable strategies. Setting and sticking to a bedtime routine is crucial for regulating physical and mental health, especially during the busy school year.
Set bedtimes for adults, too. School routines often focus on children, but adults benefit equally from consistent sleep and wake times, including on weekends.
Share the load where you can. If household or caregiving tasks are cutting into sleep, look for opportunities to delegate or ask family members for support.
Create a wind-down routine, even on busy nights. The AASM suggests setting aside 30 to 60 minutes before bed to step away from screens, emails, and homework to allow the mind to transition into rest mode.
Prep the night before. Packing lunches, laying out clothes, and organizing backpacks the evening before can reduce morning rush and protect sleep time.
Talk to a healthcare professional. If work, school, or family pressures are chronically disrupting sleep, the AASM advises seeking help, noting that effective treatments and strategies are available.
The AASM will host its seventh annual Sleep Health Week from September 14 to 18, 2025, in conjunction with several supporting partners including Active Minds, the American School Counselor Association, and Project Sleep.
