Germans are among the earliest risers in Europe, with average wake-up times typically between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM. While some, especially in large cities or with flexible schedules, may wake up closer to 8:00 AM or later, many maintain a structured routine, often starting their workdays around 8:20 AM.
The earliest average wake-up time is in South Africa at 6:24 AM, and the latest is in Germany at 7:25 AM. There are a few interesting trends in the data.
* Average sleep duration varies between German federal states, ranging from just over 8 hours in Rhineland-Palatinate to almost 8 hours 46 minutes in Hamburg, with most federal states grouped around 8 hours 30 minutes, highlighting the subtle regional differences in nighttime rest habits.
Overall, when we asked Britons to write down their getting-up time, 65% of Britons told us they typically rise at a time between 6am to 8am. Britons who live in a household without children are able to stay in bed for a little longer on average.
In Germany, it's mostly morning showers — start the day fresh. In Hong Kong, almost everyone showers at night — to feel clean before bed. In the U.S., it's a mix — depends on the person, the schedule, or just how sweaty the day was.
Wake up with the Average German – all their weird habits and more
What are German quiet hours?
The commonly agreed upon quiet hours in Germany (Ruhezeit time period) are from 10pm and 6 or 7am on weekdays and the entire day on Sundays, although there can be some exceptions in different cities or if your landlord imposes other rules as well. Ruhezeit also applies to all public holidays for the entire day.
The 3-2-1 bedtime method is a simple routine to improve sleep by winding down activities hours before bed: stop eating and drinking alcohol 3 hours before sleep, finish work/stimulating activities 2 hours before, and turn off screens (phones, TV) 1 hour before bed to let your brain produce melatonin, reducing disruptions and helping you fall asleep faster. There's also the related 10-3-2-1-0 method, adding no caffeine 10 hours before and aiming for zero snooze hits.
“The 'doppelbett' sleep method is more than just two beds pushed together,' says Hannah Shore. 'It's combining two separate sleep environments and making them work together, so it also involves using completely separate duvets and bedding. '
In Germany, the standard workweek is typically five days, Monday through Friday. Most full-time employees work between 36 and 40 hours per week, spread over five days. The usual working hours are 9 am to 5 pm or 8 am to 4 pm, which can vary depending on the company and industry.
You want to be facing (but not directly facing) the door, not have it opening along the same wall as your head, and according to Suzanne not beneath a window either. 'Locate the bed on a solid wall and always factor in a tall, comfortable headboard,' she continues.
According to the 10-3-2-1-0 rule, your last meal should take place at least three hours before sleep. Eat regularly throughout the day so you aren't as hungry at night. Replace midnight snacking with another habit, like reading a book or sipping tea. Swap nightly wine for a non-alcoholic option.
Albert Einstein is said to have slept 10 hours per night, plus regular daytime naps. Other great achievers, inventors, and thinkers – such as Nikola Tesla, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill, Leonardo da Vinci, and Sir Isaac Newton – are said to have slept between two and four hours per day.
Yes, 10 PM to 5 AM provides 7 hours of sleep, which meets the minimum recommended amount for most adults (7-9 hours), but whether it's enough depends on your individual needs; if you wake up refreshed and energetic, it's likely sufficient, but if you feel tired, you might need closer to 8-9 hours, which means aiming for an earlier bedtime like 9:30 PM.
