Americans aren't sleeping enough. Here's what could help
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends adults get at least seven hours of sleep nightly, with insufficient sleep linked to daytime lethargy and increased risk of cardiometabolic and cardiovascular disorders.
- A 2024 CDC report reveals that 30.5% of U.S. adults are not meeting the recommended sleep duration, a statistic that has remained steady since 2020.
- Contributing factors to insufficient sleep include work schedules and excessive use of electronic devices before bed, with many individuals choosing screen time over sleep.
- Around 15% of people report difficulty falling asleep and 18% have trouble staying asleep, while about 13% use sleep aids nightly, prompting experts to advise consulting physicians rather than self-medicating.
- To improve sleep quality, experts suggest establishing calming pre-sleep routines, compensating for lost sleep with naps, managing sleep anxiety through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, and optimizing daytime habits like morning sunlight exposure and physical activity.
