Survey reveals Americans’ most outrageous excuses for canceling plans

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

BY YOUR EARLY THIRTIES, A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN A NIGHT OUT.

A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 AMERICANS FROM AVOCADO GREEN MATTRESS FINDS THE AVERAGE PERSON STARTS PLANNING THEIR SOCIAL LIFE AROUND THEIR SLEEP SCHEDULE AT AGE 32.

MANY SAY THEY’LL TURN DOWN PLANS THAT START TOO LATE, WITH NINE P-M EMERGING AS THE CUTOFF FOR A NIGHT OUT.

SOME PEOPLE ARE HONEST ABOUT IT, WHILE OTHERS ADMIT TO INVENTING CREATIVE EXCUSES TO STAY HOME AND GET SOME REST.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, ALSO FOUND MANY AMERICANS HAVE NO GUILT ABOUT CHOOSING SLEEP OVER SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS.

SO WHAT ABOUT YOU? WOULD YOU SKIP A NIGHT OUT FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 6–10, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.