New research and expert commentary suggest that where someone lives, not just their personal habits, can significantly affect how well they sleep. Nutritionist Erin Palinski-Wade, author of "The Sleepdemic Solution," says household and neighbourhood conditions can directly interfere with rest, adding a wider environmental dimension to the more familiar advice about screens, caffeine and bedtime routines. This matters because it points to sleep problems that individuals may not be able to fix through personal habits alone.

Studies on urban environments have linked neighbourhood safety and the amount of greenery in an area to longer sleep duration, indicating that perceived security and access to green space play a role in rest quality. Palinski-Wade also notes that everyday household factors, such as sharing a home with family members or pets, and living in high-noise environments, frequently disrupt sleep patterns.