Sleep is so important for the entire body and mind. The side effects of sleep deprivation are plentiful, impacting both short-term and long-term health. Not only is it dangerous to the individual, it can be risky to those around them as well. In fact, many tragic accidents such as the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, the Chernobyl meltdown, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill have been linked to lack of sleep.
How much sleep do you get on average each night? According to this eye-opening visualization by Charlotte’s Web, 35% of U.S. adults experience sleep deprivation! Some areas suffer significantly more. Take a look:
Do any of these statistics surprise you? Many of the states with high sleep deprivation rates also have high obesity rates, poor mental health rankings, and extreme poverty. I am sure that all of these factors are connected in some way. While many of the worst counties are lower in population, there are few major city standouts such as Detroit and Philadelphia. 45% of adults report an average of fewer than seven hours a night in both of these metropolitan areas. Staten Island is another place that jumps out at me with 44% of adults being sleep-deprived. I imagine that long commutes for work into the city make it hard to get enough sleep. If you are struggling with getting enough sleep, here are a few resources that may help:
-
- 10 Tips to Get More Sleep – American Cancer Society
-
- Sleep Tips: 6 Steps to Better Sleep – Mayo Clinic
Leave a Reply