Survey Finds Work, Family Responsibilities Often Take Priority Over Sleep
A survey of 2,007 U.S. adults found that many people rank work, school schedules and household responsibilities above getting enough sleep. The findings arrive ahead of the back-to-school season, when earlier mornings, activities and homework may make established sleep routines harder to maintain.
Sleep may be squeezed further as American families move from summer routines to the demands of a new school year, according to survey results reported by Medical Xpress. The survey, conducted for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), found that 32% of U.S. adults said work and school schedules take priority over sleep, while 42% gave greater priority to family or household responsibilities.
The online survey included 2,007 adults across the United States and was conducted from June 5 through June 13, 2025. Its reported margin of error was plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Sleep was also ranked below several personal activities. Twenty-six percent of respondents said they value phone screen time more highly than sleep, while 23% selected binge-watching shows or movies and another 23% selected social activities or events. Exercise routines ranked ahead of sleep for 20% of respondents.
The timing of the findings is relevant to families preparing for earlier drop-offs, after-school activities and late-night homework. Dr. Shalini Paruthi, a sleep medicine physician and AASM spokesperson, said in an AASM news release that consistent bedtime routines are particularly important for children. She also said shifting from summer habits to school-year schedules can be difficult and encouraged families to begin that transition early.
The AASM says adults should get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Its guidance lists nine to 12 hours for children ages 6 to 12 and eight to 10 hours for teenagers ages 13 to 18.
Among the strategies the organization recommends are establishing bedtimes for adults and children, reserving 30 minutes to an hour before bed for winding down, and preparing items such as lunches, clothing and backpacks the night before. The AASM also says families can ask for help with household chores when those responsibilities interfere with sleep.
The survey measures reported priorities and does not establish how much sleep respondents actually obtain or whether competing responsibilities directly caused sleep loss. The AASM says people who continue to struggle with healthy sleep should consult a doctor, noting that treatments and strategies are available.
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