For many, a good night’s sleep is as elusive as ever. A new survey by YouGov and Amazon Alexa reveals that 53% of respondents experience sleep-related issues when they don’t follow a consistent nighttime routine. Conducted across ten Indian cities, the study sheds light on how urban households are winding down at night, with digital assistants playing an increasingly important role.
The power of a bedtime routine
The survey found that 52% of adults actively maintain a bedtime routine, with 54% noticing significant improvements in sleep quality when they stick to it. Interestingly, the majority (86%) begin their bedtime rituals post-8 PM, with 53% delaying them until after 10:30 PM.
When it comes to winding down, watching video content (63%) remains the most common pre-sleep activity, followed by connecting with friends and family (59%) and listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks (58%). Scrolling through social media apps (57%) is also a popular habit—ironically, one of the very things sleep experts warn against.
“Sleep routines are gaining popularity, and what’s noteworthy is that smart technologies, especially voice assistants like Alexa, are increasingly becoming a valuable aid in helping people follow their bedtime routines. Personalised voice AI experiences are emerging as practical alternatives to handheld screen devices before bedtime. Whether it’s 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,” Teena Sidana, Country Manager, Alexa India, said.
Voice assistants: The new sleep enabler
One in two respondents (52%) rely on voice assistants to set up their nighttime routines. Interestingly, more users in the 35-45 age group use voice assistants for sleep-related habits compared to younger respondents aged 25-34. Households with couples and children are the most active users of smart devices for bedtime routines, leveraging them to control lighting, smart ACs, automated curtains, and even baby monitors.
Among all respondents, 45% use voice assistants for listening to music, meditation playlists, or ambient sounds. Meanwhile, 23% set up reminders and alarms, while 22% use them to control smart home appliances.
The rise of mindful nighttime habits
While traditional nighttime routines still dominate, wellness activities are gaining traction. Currently, only 27% engage in guided meditation or journaling before bed, but more than 50% expressed interest in incorporating wellness habits like meditation, journaling, light exercise, or skincare routines in the future. Notably, couples (with or without kids) showed the highest interest (32%) in adding mindfulness practices to their routine.
Surprisingly, late-night snacking is also a growing trend—21% of respondents already indulge in bedtime eating, and 34% want to include a relaxing beverage or snack before sleep.
The ‘Do-Nothing’ crowd
Not everyone is interested in structured bedtime routines. A small but significant 11% of respondents admitted they would rather do “absolutely nothing” before bed than follow a specific routine.
As World Sleep Day approaches, the survey highlights the evolving landscape of sleep hygiene in Indian households. Whether through mindfulness practices, entertainment, or smart technology, Indians are shaping their nights in ways that work best for them—one voice command at a time.
(Survey conducted by YouGov India for Amazon Alexa in February 2025, with 1,000 respondents across Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad.)
