Get Some Rest!

by WiredBerries Editors — March 10, 2008

The National Sleep Foundation recently released a new Sleep in America poll that reveals some pretty scary statistics about sleep habits in the U.S.:

• Respondents spend an average of almost 4.5 hours each week doing additional work from home. That's after an average 9.5-hour workday.
• One quarter of respondents have an eight-to-nine-hour workday; one quarter work nine to 10 hours per day; a third work 10 or more hours daily.
• 28 percent said that daytime sleepiness interferes with their daily activities at least a few days each month.
• 29 percent reported falling asleep or being sleepy at work in the past month.
• Respondents got an average of 6 hours and 40 minutes sleep per night on weekdays, although they said they needed seven hours and 18 minutes to be refreshed.
• 36 percent have nodded off or fallen asleep while driving; 32 percent were drowsy while driving at least one or two times a month; and 26 percent drive drowsy during the workday.
• 20 percent have lost interest in sex or have sex less often because of sleepiness.
• 12 percent reported being late to work in the past month because of sleepiness.
• 32 percent only get a good night's sleep a few nights per month.
• 65 percent have a sleep problem, such as difficulty falling asleep or waking up during the night; 44 percent said they had such troubles almost every night.
• 17 percent get help falling asleep, in the form of alcohol or prescription/over-the-counter sleep medications, at least a few nights each week.
• 58 percent drank caffeine to cope.
• 38 percent chose foods loaded in sugar and carbohydrates.
• 37 percent say they take naps.
• 34 percent work at places which allow napping during breaks.

Getting a good night's rest is a big part of feeling good and staying well - physically and emotionally - so fluff up the nearest pillow and take care of yourself! Sweet dreams!