Which sleep tribe are you – lion, wolf, bear or dolphin?

Is Britain sleep walking towards a nightmare?

No, that's not a reference to the ongoing Brexit talks in Brussels, but rather a nod to a recent study that suggests we rank as the world's worst sleepers.

The survey, commissioned by Aviva health insurance, found that 38pc of UK adults believe they are not getting enough sleep – a higher proportion than any other nationality in the world. British males appear to be the worst affected, with 41pc reporting they struggle in the sleep stakes, compared to 35pc of women.

In contrast, only 7pc of people in India, and 11pc in China, believe they have problems in bed.

The survey, which asked 1,000 people from 14 different countries, shines a bedside light on the widespread problem we have with shut-eye in the 21st Century. 

One popular recent theory is that our approach to sleep has been too simplistic, shoehorning everyone into 'lark' or 'owl' categories and expecting them to get 8 hours of kip a night regardless. Instead, according to Dr. Michael Breus, there are actually four 'chronotypes' – a dolphin, lion, bear or wolf. Each functions naturally on a different rhythm, and therefore requires a different approach.

To find out whether you're a dolphin, lion, bear or wolf, answer the questions below and keep track of your answers. And once you've discovered your natural chronotype, consult Dr Breus's guide on how you can use the information to improve your life.

Are you a dolphin, lion, bear or wolf?

Compiled by Sally Howard

1. You have to get up at 5.30am to pick up your parents from the airport. How do you feel?

a) Exhausted. But then, what’s new?

b) Starving. But a hearty breakfast later, you’re at the airport with a smile.

c) Dazed. After three alarm-clock snoozes 

you make it… to the wrong terminal.

d) Where’s your phone? You’ll book them an Uber.

2. You have an important presentation at work tomorrow. What’s happening at 3am?

a) You’ve barely slept. 

Is Touche Eclat enough to cover these bags?

b) You’re dreaming peacefully. Been sound asleep for hours.

c) Still asleep – but you haven’t prepared yet. You’ll wake super early and deal with it then.

d) You’ve only been asleep for two hours – you watched a film to take your mind off it.

3. You’re cooking dinner for 10 people. When are you at your parmesan-crisp-making peak?

a) It depends on the day. Maybe at 8am, maybe 10am, maybe 2pm.

b) Early to mid-morning. By late afternoon you’re snacking. Just one more parmesan crisp…

c) Just before noon, 

you’re all over it.

d) About 7pm. If anyone arrives early they can make their own!

4. It’s 10pm, the sofa’s comfy and your other half has insisted on listening to a radio documentary about canal engineering. How long before you nod off?

a) You can’t nod off on the sofa. You need your lavender-scented pillow.

b) You were asleep at the words ‘radio documentary’.

c) Depends if you’re tired – or very tired. But, at a guess, around 10 minutes.

d) Nod off? You’ll be watching telly two hours after he’s gone to bed.

So, what did you get?

Mostly As: THE DOLPHIN

You’re a light sleeper and likely to be biphasic. You often wake unrefreshed and hit your stride late in the evening, with spurts of energy during the day.

Mostly Bs: THE LION

You rise before the sun comes up and you’re ready to conquer the world from mid- morning to noon, but you slump in the early afternoon. You sleep deeply and are not prone to night-time waking.

Mostly Cs: THE BEAR

You wake up bleary-eyed after several snoozes but are productive by mid-morning. You fall asleep easily, but often sleep for a shorter period than you’d like. You might benefit from a siesta.

Mostly Ds: THE WOLF

You’re out of sync with the daytime world, finding early rising tough and rarely being with-it until the afternoon. You’re most alert at 7pm and seldom feel tired until beyond midnight.

In Stella magazine with this weekend's Daily Telegraph on Saturday: Sally Howard explains why it's time to put the 8-hour night to bed