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Lack Of Sleep: 1 In 3 Americans Needs To Snooze Longer

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Americans aren’t getting enough sleep, says a recent CNN report. That’s the clear conclusion drawn by a new survey into the nation’s sleeping habits conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study also goes as far as to identify which states on average are getting enough shut-eye, and those where insomnia is most prevalent. Colorado, Minnesota and South Dakota are getting plenty say the researchers, meanwhile respondents in southeastern states and along the Appalachian Mountains reported getting very little sleep, with people in Hawaii sleeping less than everyone.

According to the Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, adults in the eighteen to sixty age-range should be getting at least seven hours of sleep per night. Those who do not are at greater risk of developing serious health problems, says the CDC’s report:

Sleeping less than seven hours per night is associated with increased risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, frequent mental distress, and all-cause mortality.

The study concludes that a third of U.S. Adults are not sleeping a sufficient number of hours each night and that many Americans should make an effort to acquire better sleeping habits. The CDC suggests going to bed and waking up at regular times; switching off electronic devices; avoiding large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before going to bed; and making sure to get regular exercise. NBC suggests that lack of sleep may  be tied to a person’s economic level and reveals that different ethnic groups report varying amounts of sleep, with only about half of blacks saying that they sleep enough, compared to two-thirds of whites and Hispanics.

While those who work regularly report getting better sleep than people who are unemployed or unable to work, the CDC suggests that employers can still do more to help their employees get a better night’s rest by adjusting working hours to accommodate them. “As a nation we are not getting enough sleep,” said CDC’s Dr. Wayne Giles. Sadly previous studies have suggested this may cause us to be a nation of grouches.

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