In the hustle of modern Indian life, a silent epidemic of sleep disturbance is taking its toll – but new research suggests a solution might be simpler than we think. According to a recent YouGov and Amazon Alexa study released just ahead of World Sleep Day (March 14), more than half of Indians experience sleep-related issues when they don’t follow consistent bedtime routines.
The survey shows 53% of respondents experience sleep-related issues when not following a consistent bedtime routine. It indicates that adults actively follow bedtime routines — with 54% of respondents having seen a noticeable improvement in sleep when following a regular sleep routine.
According to the findings, 52% of surveyed respondents follow a consistent bedtime and pre-sleep habits. The survey shows that 86% of those surveyed start their bedtime routine 8 PM onwards every day, with 53% choosing to begin their routine after 10:30pm.
Digital activities dominate bedtime habits
The most common activities that form part of bedtime routines include watching video content (63%), connecting with family and friends (59%), listening to podcasts, music, or audiobooks (58%), and scrolling through social media apps (57%). Households with only couples rank highest in following these activities as part of their bedtime routine, amongst all other household types.
Significantly, one in two respondents use voice assistants to set up their sleep routines — with more people between 35-45 years using voice assistants than those aged between 25-34 years.
Voice assistants becoming key to bedtime routines
“Sleep routines are gaining popularity, and what’s noteworthy is that smart technologies, especially voice assistants like Alexa, are increasingly becoming valuable in helping people follow their bedtime routines. Personalised voice AI experiences are emerging as practical alternatives to handheld screen devices before bedtime. Whether playing meditation sessions or relaxing sounds, listening to audiobooks or music, setting reminders and alarms, or controlling smart devices to adjust the room’s sleep environment, people are finding innovative ways to use Alexa as part of their bedtime routines. Alexa users can easily set up their bedtime routine through the Alexa app, customising it to their specific needs and preferences,” says Teena Sidana, country manager, Alexa India.
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Families with children lead this trend, with households containing couples and kids ranking highest in voice assistant adoption for bedtime routines. Across all demographics, 45% use voice interfaces for accessing relaxing content like music and podcasts, 23% for setting reminders and alarms, and 22% for controlling smart home devices like bedroom lighting, automated curtains and AC temperature.
Growing interest in wellness activities before bed
While digital consumption dominates bedtime behaviour, the study reveals evolving aspirations toward more wellness-focused activities. Over half of respondents expressed interest in incorporating meditation, journaling, light exercise, and skincare routines into their pre-sleep regimens.
Couples with and without children showed particular enthusiasm for mindfulness practices, with 32% wanting to add meditation and journaling to their nighttime rituals. Meanwhile, 34% of respondents indicated interest in enjoying relaxing beverages or light snacks before bed – though sleep experts generally caution against heavy consumption too close to bedtime.
Changing preferences in pre-sleep activities
The study also notes that about 21% currently prefer eating and snacking before bedtime. Respondents are becoming more interested in this habit, with 34% wanting to have a relaxing beverage or snack before bedtime.
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Other activities on sleep routine wish lists include brain games, puzzles, and reading as alternatives to phone use, as well as unwinding with music, podcasts, and news updates. Interestingly, a segment of 11% who were contrarian stated they would prefer “doing nothing” over following any structured sleep routine.
For those struggling with sleep issues, the message from this research seems clear: consistency matters, and finding the right set of wind-down activities — whether tech-focused or unplugged — could be the key to more restful nights.
