Eight hours of sleep a night is the standard that many people strive to achieve. While this may not be the golden rule for everyone, with some people getting by on seven or even six hours, some people really struggle to get quality sleep.
With more and more people searching for guidance on sleep routines, supplements, and stress-related sleep issues, Midland Health, a private GP clinic, has identified which towns and cities are struggling the most with their sleep health.
The team analysed thousands of searches for common sleep problems, as well as searches for supplements, sleep therapy and other sleep aids. All searchers were normalised per 100,000 residents.
Key Findings
Newcastle upon Tyne takes the top spot, with 16,322 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. Following closely behind is Norwich with 15,340 monthly searches per capita. In the third spot is Bournemouth, with 13,325 searches, suggesting that coastal living doesn’t always guarantee a peaceful night. Rounding off the top spot are Warrington (11,985 searches) and Manchester (11,373 searches)
Top 10 Sleepiest Towns & Cities in the UK
- Newcastle upon Tyne – 16,322 searches per 100,000 residents
- Norwich – 15,340
- Bournemouth – 13,325
- Warrington – 11,985
- Manchester – 11,373
- Peterborough – 10,999
- Portsmouth – 10,791
- Oxford – 10,701
- Plymouth – 10,488
- Swindon – 9,256
These towns and cities show the highest demand for information on issues such as insomnia, snoring, night terrors, magnesium, and other sleep-related concerns.
How to Improve Your Sleep
Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director (she/her) at Midland Health, is sharing her top tips on how to get a better night’s sleep.
Build a calming routine
“It’s crucial to give yourself time to unwind in the evening. Having a shower, reading a book or doing a bit of meditation and sticking to the same routine every night can help your body recognise it’s time to switch off.”
“But it’s a good idea not to wait until you’re climbing into bed to start your bedtime routine. If you begin earlier in the evening, you’ll have more time to do all the little things that tell your brain it’s time to slow down.”
Avoid the snooze button
“If you’re tempted to hit snooze, try to resist it. In most cases, those extra minutes can leave you feeling worse. Switching a light on when you wake up can stop your brain from producing sleep hormones. It’s also a good idea to get outside or sit by a bright window to wake you up properly during the day.”
Turn down the thermostat
“Generally, the sweet spot for falling asleep and staying asleep is a room temperature around 15–18°C.”
Allow digestion time
“Try to leave a few hours between eating and going to bed. That way, your body has time to digest properly, preventing indigestion or reflux from disturbing your night.”
Clear Your Mind
“Stress can keep anyone awake, so it’s a good idea to set aside a few minutes earlier in the evening to clear your head. Making a to-do list, writing your thoughts down or talking things through with someone you trust can make a world of difference.”
Don’t force sleep
“If you can’t drop off, don’t force it. Instead of staying in bed, get up and do something gentle like reading or listening to soft music, and head back to bed when your body actually feels ready to sleep.”
Improve your lifestyle
“Healthy habits through the day make a big difference at night. Regular exercise and a balanced diet support better sleep, while caffeine, alcohol and nicotine close to bedtime can do the opposite.”
