A growing number of adults are turning to sleep coaches to improve their sleep habits, mirroring a trend previously seen primarily with newborns and their parents. A recent Gallup poll indicated that 57 percent of Americans believe they would feel better with more sleep, a significant jump from 43 percent in 2013, signaling a major shift in public perception, like a team suddenly realizing they need a new training regimen to stay competitive.

Only about a quarter of those surveyed reported getting the recommended eight or more hours of sleep per night, down from 34 percent a decade earlier, a performance slump that would have coaches benching players left and right. This decline in sleep quality has created an opportunity for sleep professionals to step in and help adults achieve their goal of waking up rested, much like a seasoned coach guiding a struggling team back to victory.

One sleep consultant, who previously focused on working with children, recognized the unmet need in the adult population and transitioned her practice accordingly. She stated that it is entirely possible to transform both daytime and nighttime habits to optimize for good sleep, a game-changing strategy akin to a team revamping its entire playbook.

The increased demand for sleep coaching reflects a broader societal trend of heightened anxiety and stress, which are major contributors to sleep disturbances. Like a star player struggling with mental blocks, many adults find that putting down their phones and setting aside personal or political worries requires discipline and training.

The consultant noted that adults typically seek her help for one of two reasons, similar to how athletes might consult a trainer for either performance enhancement or injury recovery. The current situation highlights the importance of sleep as a crucial component of overall well-being, a fundamental aspect often overlooked in the pursuit of peak performance, much like neglecting basic training drills in favor of flashy plays.