Sleep-deprived Brits would be willing to spend up to £288 a year – in a bid to stop themselves or their partner from snoring, a study has found.
Sleeping on extra pillows, drinking water before bed, and using nasal strips, dilators, or spray, are the top steps that over half (54%) of desperate Brits have taken to try to eliminate their night-time noise.
More than one in six (17%) have even sought medical advice from professionals – and 29% said they would consider surgery if it meant a silent night.
The poll of 2,000 adults found that 56% either snore, or have a partner who does – and 44% would do anything to try to put a stop to the habit.
Other unusual steps they have tried include sleeping sitting up, taping their mouth, putting a peg on their nose – and putting a tennis ball inside their pyjamas to prevent them from lying on their back.
These measures cost them an average of £33.20 a year, the study found.
Steve Smith, UK Director of www.mutesnoring.com, which commissioned the research executed in partnership with WebMD as part of its 2023 Annual Sleep and Snore Report, said: “Snoring can be disruptive, and people are willing to give pretty much anything a go to put a stop to it.
“And while some of these are fairly routine hacks, there are some more unusual things being put to the test.
“While things like using extra pillows, humidifiers, and opening up the airways can all help with snoring, things like having a hot shower before bed, sleeping upside down in the bed, and wearing an eye mask, aren’t likely to help that much.
“Whether you are the snorer, or the person who has to put up with the noise from a partner, it can have a huge impact on your sleep, relationship, and life generally.
“As a result, there are some who are willing to do whatever it takes to put a stop to it.”
The study also found that 13% have resorted to sleeping tablets to ward off snoring.
And when it comes to alcohol, opinions are mixed regarding its effect on snoring – with some avoiding alcohol before bed (9%), or even at all (8%), while one in twenty (5%) swear by a tipple before nodding off to stop them from snoring.
Two in five couples (39%) have ended up sleeping in separate bedrooms – and for 11%, it has got so bad, they have had a relationship end because of one of them snoring.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found that in a bid to stop snoring, 28% have turned to the internet for advice, while 18% have gone to friends and family.
However, 61% admitted they have simply come to accept that it’s never going to go away.
It also emerged those classed as obese are more likely to be snorers (58%) than those who have an underweight (23%) or healthy (26%) BMI.
And 38% of men snore, compared to 32% of women.
Steve Smith, for www.mutesnoring.com, added: “Snoring doesn’t have to be something you simply put up with.
“With sound strategies, you really can reduce or even eliminate the snoring noise in your bedroom – and not surprisingly, improving your nasal breathing is one of the best things snorers can do.”
TOP HACKS PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO STOP SNORING:
- Using extra pillows
- Drinking more water
- Nasal strips/dilator
- Nasal spray before bed
- Avoiding alcohol before bed
- Avoiding alcohol completely (i.e. not just before bed)
- Rubbing decongestant onto your chest before bed
- Hot shower or bath before bed
- Sleeping sitting up
- Sleeping the other way round e.g. head at the end of the bed
- Buying anti-snore pillows
- Using a mouthguard
- Saline rinses/spray
- Exercise before bed
- Eating mints before bed
- Sipping warm honey and lemon before bed
- Throat exercises
- Snoring exercises
- Wearing an eye mask
- Drinking alcohol before bed
- Having a humidifier on
- Buying a snoring ring that's meant to stop you snoring
- Rubbing Vaseline or similar on to the tip of your nose
- Putting a tennis ball in your pyjamas to stop you lying on your back
- Taping your mouth
- Putting a peg on your nose
- Humming/singing
- Acupuncture
- Wearing compression socks
- Thyme oil on your feet
MUTE AMBASSADOR AND SLEEP EXPERT OLIVIA AREZZOLO'S TOP FIVE TIPS TO REDUCE SNORING:
- Reduce alcohol intake. Alcohol is a prime risk factor for snoring – it relaxes the muscles in the upper airways, causing them to collapse through the night and amplify snoring.
- Sleep on your side. By sleeping on your back, you exacerbate snoring – however, sleeping on your side, or at the very least, having your face on the side, this reduces it.
- Ensure you are at a healthy weight. Weight reduction for those carrying excess weight can improve snoring – so much so that, in some cases, symptoms can be eliminated.
- Consider a nasal dilator – for a simple, straightforward solution which can help to make breathing easier at night.
- Improve air quality. Well-ventilated, purified air reduces the risk that snoring is due to pollution and airborne critters that may offset allergies – which can otherwise lead to irritated airways, congestion, and amplify snoring.
