Over half of Brits (56%) either snore, or live with a snorer – and 44% say they would do anything to put an end to the noisy habit.
A poll of 2,000 adults who suffer from the habit found that it has put a strain on their relationships, with 39% sleeping in a different room to their partner – and one in ten (11%) have even had a relationship end due to a snoring problem.
Those impacted by snoring typically spend £33.20 a year on items such as nasal spray, strips, or dilators, or saline rinses or sprays, to try and silence their snores.
Others have changed the way they sleep – either resting their head at the other end of the bed, or sleeping sitting up.
And using extra pillows, or drinking more water before bed, are the most common steps towards trying to get a restful sleep.
But six in ten (61%) have resigned themselves to the fact that their problem is never going to go away.
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 sleeping, and have varying opinions regarding alcohol – with 9% avoiding alcohol before bed, or even at all (8%), while 5% swear by a tipple before nodding off to stop them from snoring.
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And desperate Brits would be willing to spend up to £288 a year to kick the habit, while 29% would consider surgery in a bid to get a restful night's sleep.
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 – and 17% have even sought help from health professionals.
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.
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