Ultimate world sleep rankings: Finns top charts at 8 hours every night – 70 minutes MORE than the Japanese (so how does Britain and the US fare?)

Lying in bed for eight hours a night is often touted as the ideal amount.

But only those who live in one country manage to get that many shut-eye every night, a study suggests.

Researchers in Korea and the UK tracked the sleep habits of more than 30,000 people in 11 countries through smartwatches and surveys.

The results showed that only those living in Finland were able to sleep an average of eight hours a night, while those in Japan were the least rested – less than seven hours.

Meanwhile, the US ranks ninth, averaging seven and a half hours a night, while those in the UK spend 10 minutes longer in bed.

Americans slept an average of only seven hours and 28 minutes per night. The results suggest they went to bed at 11:51 PM and woke up at 7:28 AM

Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and UK-based Nokia Bell Labs wanted to determine whether a person’s place of life affected the amount of sleep they got.

The team examined smartwatch data from 30,082 people in 11 countries, including the UK, US and Spain, collected over a four-year period.

The volunteers also completed surveys about their sleep times. However, researchers found these were inaccurate by up to an hour when compared to data from the sleep trackers.

Results, published in the journal Scientific Reportsshow that participants generally went to sleep around midnight and woke up at 07:42 on average.

But total sleep time varied from country to country.

Those in Finland got the most — an average of eight hours and a minute and sleeping from 11:43 p.m. to 7:43 a.m.

People in France were the second most rested, with seven hours and 45 minutes of sleep per night. They slept from 12:06 a.m. to 7:53 a.m. on average.

Britons ranked third, averaging seven hours and 44 minutes in bed, with a bedtime of 11:52 pm and waking up at 7:38 am.

Americans slept an average of only seven hours and 28 minutes per night. The results suggest they went to bed at 11:51 PM and woke up at 7:28 AM.

People in Japan got the least amount of rest — an average of only six hours and 51 minutes per night. They last slept at 12:42 a.m. and woke up at 7:38 a.m., according to the smartwatch data.

The researchers said the findings show that those living in wealthier countries get fewer hours of sleep.

This may be because residents of these countries work longer hours and have tighter work schedules, the team suggested.

But they also pointed to the Individualism Index—an instrument that measures whether people see themselves primarily as an individual or as part of a group—as an explanation for sleep duration.

Countries that placed more emphasis on being part of a group — Spain and Japan — had the latest sleep times, the researchers noted.

This may mean that they have more family commitments in the evening that cause them to go to bed later.

Daniele Quercia, head of social dynamics and Nokia Bell Labs, said: “Excessive work schedules, long hours and late bedtimes in high-income countries and social engagement due to high collectivism can lead to bedtime delays.”

Tips to fall asleep and sleep better

Due to insomnia, you regularly have trouble sleeping. It can get better by changing your sleeping habits

One in three adults in the UK and nearly half of US adults suffer from insomnia, with millions more reporting sleepless nights.

Prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety, alcohol, caffeine or nicotine, noise, shift work and jet lag.

If you regularly have trouble sleeping, there are simple ways to improve your sleep hygiene.

Keep regular sleeping hours

• Try to go to bed when you feel tired and get up at the same time every day.

Create a restful space

• Dark, quiet and cool environments generally make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Get moving

• Exercise is good for your physical health and your mind. It can also help you sleep better. Just don’t do vigorous exercise too close to your bedtime.

Don’t force it

• If you find you can’t get to sleep, get up and do something relaxing. Then go back to bed when you feel more sleepy.

Write down your concerns

• If you find that your worries are keeping you awake at night, try writing them down before you go to bed.

Lighten up the caffeine

• Alcohol and caffeine can prevent you from falling asleep and sleeping deeply. Cutting back on caffeine just before bed and alcoholic drinks can help you taper off.

Source GGZ