10. France Merges Science and Sensuality for Better Rest
The French know how to indulge, but they also take sleep seriously. France is one of the few countries where sleep is treated as part of public health policy. In schools, sleep education is common. Sleep specialists are covered under healthcare, and campaigns actively encourage quality rest. But this science-forward approach is paired with pleasure. Duvets are luxurious, bedrooms are quiet sanctuaries, and the evening meal is sacred. There’s no guilt around bedtime. Instead, rest is treated as a right, not a luxury. That cultural respect for sleep is paying off, with France enjoying better-than-average sleep health across age groups.