According to a recent poll, it has been found that 52% of American adults either snore or have a partner who does. To combat this issue, 72% of them have resorted to different methods in an attempt to silence the noise.
Among the top strategies to overcome snoring, individuals have reported using extra pillows and drinking water before bed. Others claim that placing a tennis ball in their pajamas can prevent them from lying on their backs, which is one major factor for some when it comes to snoring. Others have tried nasal strips, dilators, taking a hot shower before sleeping, or even sleeping in an upright position were also part of the 30 most popular techniques that people have tried as well.
Meanwhile, another 15% of so-called tricks to stop snoring include avoiding the consumption of alcohol before bed or altogether, while one in 10 people swore that having a drink before sleeping is also another method to stop snoring. In addition, some have even tried more unconventional methods to stop themselves from snoring, like taping their mouth shut, positioning their heads at the foot of the bed, or even using a clothespin on their nose.
Conducted by Onepoll as part of the 2023 Sleep & Snore Report commissioned by MuteSnoring.com in partnership with WebMD, this survey was comprised of 2,000 adults. It showed that 53% of those affected by snoring, whether as a snorer themselves or with a partner that snores, are so frustrated with the noise and lack of sleep it causes that they would do just about anything to make the snoring stop.
While most of them spend an average of around $45.30 for a year on items to attempt to silence all the snoring, they claim that they would willingly spend up to $596.60 if it meant that they would stop snoring for good.
Moreover, more than four in 10 – or 42% – would consider doing surgery if it would bring an end to the snoring too.
Michael Johnson, who is the CEO of Rhinomed, said, “While some of these are proven to help with snoring— like using extra pillows, humidifiers, and opening up the airways, things like sleeping upside down in the bed and wearing an eye mask aren’t likely to help that much.”
The survey also showed that sleep disruption has led to 38% of partners resorting to sleeping in separate bedrooms, with another 60% having resigned to the fact that they just have to accept that snoring is part of the partnership.
In order to find other ways to combat snoring, at least 42% of the respondents claim that they have searched the internet for advice and solutions. However, only 37% have actually turned to a healthcare professional to find help. The study also saw that for individuals classified as obese, the likelihood that they are snorers is 57% as compared to the 19% who are considered underweight, or the other 29% who are those with a healthy body-mass index.
Mr. Johnson 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.”
According to the study, here are the top strategies that respondents have tried to stop snoring:
- Using extra pillows
2. Nasal strips/ dilator
3. Hot shower or bath before bed
4. Drinking more water
5. Having a humidifier on
6. Sleeping sitting up
7. Sleeping the other way round e.g. head at the end of the bed
8. Avoiding alcohol before bed
9. Nasal spray before bed
10. Saline rinses/ sprays
11. Sipping warm honey and lemon before bed
12. Using a mouthguard
13. Rubbing decongestant onto your chest before bed
14. Exercise before bed
15. Wearing an eye mask
16. Eating mints before bed
17. Buying anti-snore pillows
18. Wearing compression socks
19. Snoring exercises
20. Buy a snoring ring that’s meant to stop you snoring
21. Rubbing Vaseline on the tip of your nose
22. Put a tennis ball in your Pjs to stop you lying on your back
23. Drinking alcohol before bed
24. Thyme oil on your feet
25. Acupuncture
In addition to these, some people with snoring issues may want to refer to these tips from Australia’s top sleep expert, Olivia Arezzolo. These pointers are her advice to reduce unwanted snoring:
- Sleep on your side– By sleeping on your back, you exacerbate snoring. Sleeping on your side, or at the very least, having your face on the side, reduces it.
- Ensure you are at a healthy weight– Weight reduction can in some cases eliminate symptoms.
- Consider a nasal dilatorfor a simple, straightforward solution that can help to make breathing easier at night.
- Reduce alcohol intake– Alcohol is a risk factor for snoring because it relaxes the muscles in the upper airways, causing them to collapse through the night and amplify snoring.
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