9 sleep habits around the world that could help you catch a few more zzzs

9 sleep habits around the world that could help you catch a few mora zzzs9 sleep habits around the world that could help you catch a few more zzzsThey say what happens in thebedroomstays in the bedroom, but when it comes to sleep, theres a lot we could learn from other peoples habits - especially people in different cultures. If youve evertraveled abroad, you may have seen firsthand how different getting your nightly shut-eye can look in aelendher country. And though some foreign bedtime rituals may initially strike us as a bit odd, its quite possible that trying one (or several) of them could result in a better nights sleep, so here are nine new sleep habits around the world.1. Japan Nap on the job.In Japanese culture, falling asleep at work, on public transit, or even at a dinner partey isconsidered totally legit. The idea goes that you must be working so diligently that youve exhausted yourself - so instead of being perceived as disrespectful, you might even be lauded for your i ndustriousness. Dozing off in public is such a common practice that it even has its own term inemuri, which literally means sleeping while present. While it may not be acceptable in American culture to conk out mid-meeting or over dessert with friends, we could all stand to work in more naps.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more2. Spain Take an afternoon siesta.Speaking of naps, the siesta has long been a quintessential tradition of Spanish culture. Though this afternoon rest break may be waning in popularity as Spain becomes more urbanized, its benefits remain. When kept relatively short - under 90 minutes - power napsincrease performance and reaction time and improve mood.3. China Sleep on a firm bed.In China, its a popular belief that a firm bed supports the alignment of the back, promoting better sleep. (Even in the US, many people swear by sleeping on a harder surface to ease back pain.) To find out firsthand if firmer support could lead to better nights, check out Brooklyn BeddingsPlank, the mattress for sleepers who can never find a mattress firm enough.4. United Kingdom Snooze in the nude.Could sleeping in the buff be the key to waking up refreshed? A significant portion of Brits believes so. When surveyed as part of2013 International Bedroom Pollconducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 30 percent of people in the UK said they go to bed in their birthday suits (as opposed to just 12 percent of Americans). Since reduced body temperature signals to your brain that its time to rest, ditching the PJs could truly make a difference for quality and quantity of sleep.5. Europe Trade the top sheet for a duvet.If youre not into sleeping nude - cause that can definitely get awkward fast if you have kids or roommates - Europeans have another cooling method worth considering. Its extremely common in Europe to sleep with just a duvet with a removable, w ashable cover, rather than the top sheet and comforter most Americans use Eliminating that layer of cloth helps keep the temperature down in bed.6. Belgium Be early to bed and early to rise.Timereportsthat Belgian women have the distinction of going to bed earliest of all countries they surveyed. Apparently, this is a healthy habit People who turn in earlier show alower risk of early deaththan night owls, and they may bemore likelyto maintain a healthy weight.7. Japan Sleep solo.The NSF survey found that less than two-thirds of Japanese people who are married or living with a partner sleep together, and more than a quarter sleepentirelyalone (not even sharing with pets or kids). If you have a loved one to snuggle with, sleeping in separate beds may sound like a throwback from 1950s TV shows, but research shows the Japanese may be on to something. Over a quarter of peoplereport getting a more restful nightwhen they turn in alone (and that percentage is even higher for women).8. Mexic o Engage in some late-night mindfulness.Nightly wind-down rituals - whether prayer, meditation, or quietly reading a book - are all part of healthy sleep hygiene. Working in a few moments of peaceful pre-bedtime reflection, like nearly two-thirds of Mexicans surveyed by the NSF do by meditating or praying, might help you drift off more easily.9. Netherlands Add a few extra minutes.And the award for most sleep goes to the Netherlands According toa 2016 studyin the journalScience Advances, the Dutch outrank all other countries, averaging eight hours and five minutes per night. (The Americans clock in at seven hours and 52 minutes, a difference of close to a quarter-hour.) While the gap between Dutch and American may not seem that large, given that more sleep is associated with moremental agility,improved immunity, andbetter mental health, getting just a few minutes of extra sleep per night can add up to major benefits. So take a few pointers from other cultures sleep habits and get yourself to bedThis article originally appeared on Brit and Co.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people