Getting a good night's sleep

Chinese respondents show the strongest preference for medium mattresses, followed by those from Russia and the United States. The British subjects loved both firm and medium mattresses.

Needs and preferences were diverse, and the only common factor is that 72 percent of all respondents sleep on the same side of the bed as they do at home.

"The survey indicated that the bed was one fundamental factor for a perfect night's sleep. Our new customizable bed offers greater personalization in minutes through three toppers engineered exclusively for Four Seasons.," Kalczak says.

"The sleep survey really emphasizes that people think sleep is important. We spend so much time as doctors talking about the importance of the science of sleep, and it shows that people understand this," says Carol Ash, director of Sleep Medicine for Meridian Health, a not-for-profit healthcare organization in New Jersey, the United States.

According to Ash, many mobile devices emit a blue light that suppresses melatonin, which is critical to create sleep onset. It is helpful to get all of the electronics out of the bedroom an hour before bedtime.

Ash says to get a good night's sleep, one should retain the right environment - quiet, dark and cool. Keep in mind the environment of the bed as well - the pillows, mattress and pajamas.

"You spend so much time in your bed at night, so if it is not comfortable, you may suffer."