Unscientific Survey: Sleep
Are we getting enough sleep?
Anecdotal evidence abounds that COVID-19 has negatively affected people’s sleep, and scientific data is starting to come in. The New York Times recently reported on a study in which 44% of people said their sleep had worsened during the pandemic, compared to 10% who said their sleep had improved.
By that standard, Swarthmorean readers are doing pretty well. In our latest Unscientific Survey, more than 81% of respondents reported getting seven or more hours of sleep before the pandemic; post-COVID, the number has moderately dropped to 70%. Drilling down a bit, the number of hours that had the biggest jump, from 8% to 22%, was six.
Interestingly, nobody said they got nine or more hours before the virus hit, but 5% said they do so now. As the song goes, nice work if you can get it.
Asked whether they get enough sleep now, 43% said “Yes”; “Almost” and “No” were chosen by 28% apiece.
Some reader comments:
“My average hours of sleep are about the same, but my time in bed is way up — making up for middle-of-the-night insomnia.”
“I sleep really well. But this past year I’ve taken off an hour of sleep per night. Could be related to pandemic. Maybe not!”
“Political news affects my sleep more than COVID worries.”
“My sleep is different every night. Sometimes a lot, sometimes 2-3 hours.” –Tina Hogan
“No evening activities outside the house makes it possible to go to sleep on time.”
“We now have a newborn, so it’s probably not fair to attribute our lack of sleep to COVID!”
“I nap less during the day now.” –Tony A.
“I’m one of those lucky people who is good at sleeping. On the downside, I can’t read or even watch TV at night much because I just fall asleep.”
Next Unscientific Survey: After the Vaccine
Soon, we’ll be turning the page on a new year, and — even as we experience the worst surge of COVID-19 — it’s hard not to sense the hope that’s in the air. Much of this has to do with the rollout of vaccines that has already started.
The Swarthmorean would like to know whether you plan to get the vaccine when you become eligible and, if so, what’s the very next thing you‘re going to do.
So please fill out our latest Unscientific Survey.
