Tag: NHS 24

New studies have revealed that Brits are getting just six hours and 27 minutes of shut–eye per night on average, with sleep remaining a clear issue for many in the UK.

Now, new research from Hillarys reveals Britain is spending an estimated £48 billion a year just to function while tired, as millions of workers pay daily to push through poor sleep. With 64% spending money each week to cope, and the average employee shelling out £6.23 a day (£2,274 a year), experts warn the nation’s chronic “sleep deficit” is now hitting wallets as hard as wellbeing.

As Sleep Awareness Month takes place in March, the survey highlights a growing reliance on caffeine, convenience food and other quick fixes – masking fatigue rather than fixing it, and with the clocks about to go forward one hour on March 29th, many could struggle with lack of sleep.

Key findings

• 64% of UK workers spend money weekly to manage tiredness caused by poor sleep
• Annual spend on coping with fatigue (£2,274) can account for up to 43% of a renter’s disposable income, showing the real financial impact of Britain’s sleep deficit
• The average worker spends £6.23 per day, equivalent to £2,274 per year
• Coffee and energy drinks are the most common coping methods, used by 32% of workers
• Workers aged 35-44 spend the most, averaging £7.13 per day to stay alert

New research from Hillarys shows that Britain’s chronic sleep deficit is creating a major consumer burden, with the workforce spending an estimated £48 billion a year just to cope with tiredness. The survey of 2,001 UK employees found that nearly two-thirds of workers spend money each week on coffee, snacks, alcohol, supplements, or convenience food to function after insufficient sleep.

The average daily spend of £6.23 translates into £2,274 per worker annually. When compared with typical disposable income, the impact is striking: research from YBS* shows UK renters have just £440 per month left after bills and essentials, while homeowners have £872 per month.

Put another way, the typical worker’s annual spend on coping with tiredness represents around 43% of a renter’s disposable income and 22% of a homeowner’s, highlighting how chronic fatigue is hitting wallets as hard as wellbeing.

Who is paying the most?

Midlife adults aged 35-44 bear the highest cost of poor sleep, averaging £7.13 per day (~£2,603 per year) on coping mechanisms such as caffeine, snacks and convenience food. Younger workers aged 18-24 spend £6.35 per day (~£2,317 per year), while those aged 25-34 average £6.23 per day (~£2,274 per year). Workers aged 55 and over spend the least at £4.47 per day (~£1,631 per year).

High-pressure sectors such as finance and IT report even greater expenditure, with some workers spending up to £3,100 per year just to stay alert during the working day.

Britain’s top coping behaviours

• Coffee and energy drinks – 32%
• Sugary snacks – 18%
• Takeaway or convenience food – 17%
• Alcohol – 16%
• Supplements or sleep aids – 14%

Sleep deprivation is no longer just a health issue – it has become a consumer economy. Workers routinely spend money on short-term stimulants rather than addressing the root cause, creating a cycle of fatigue and expenditure that compounds across generations and sectors. Younger workers rely heavily on caffeine to get through the day, while older workers invest more in supplements or aids.

Tom Coleman, sleep expert at Hillarys, comments: “Paying to stay awake is only masking a much bigger problem.

“Chronic sleep deficit changes how our bodies regulate energy, stress and focus, and over time it can make fatigue feel normal – which is why midlife workers are spending thousands just to keep going.

“Fatigue also impairs decision-making, so people are more likely to reach for quick fixes like coffee, snacks, energy drinks or takeaways, even when they’re costly or not the healthiest choice.

“The solution isn’t more stimulants – it’s reshaping daily habits to reduce sleep debt: scheduling regular bedtimes, building natural tiredness through daytime activity, and managing stress early in the day rather than in the evening.

“Organisations can help by recognising the hidden costs of fatigue and supporting healthier work-life patterns. Addressing sleep now is an investment that pays back in alertness, better decisions, and real money saved on coping mechanisms.”

Source:

*https://www.ybs.co.uk/w/renters-have-half-the-disposable-income-of-homeowners 

Please find the full survey responses here.