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Only 15% of Americans are getting the recommended amount of sleep in alarming survey Credits: Social Media
By Kieran Galpin

Only 15% of Americans are getting the recommended amount of sleep in alarming survey

By Kieran Galpin

A new study published in the Sleep Health journal revealed that only 15% of people are getting the recommended amount of sleep.�

The topic of sleep has received a massive amount of research over the years, largely because of its inherent importance to human health. Even on apps like TikTok, content creators are suggesting a range of solutions to poor sleep habits.�

Woman reaching to turn alarm clock off
Credit: Flashpop

America needs its sleep

Surveying over 68,000 adults worldwide, largely in the United States and Europe, researchers found that 31% of adults had average sleep durations outside what experts recommend.�

Its generally understood that seven to nine hours a night is the best amount of sleep to promote even health and a well-rested attitude. Unfortunately, the reality for most Americans is quite the opposite.�

Over five or more nights a week, the team found that only 15% of people were getting their recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Even those who did get their recommended amount of sleep were falling behind over longer periods, with 40% of nights not meeting their quota.�

This is crucial because regularly not sleeping enough  or possibly too much  is associated with ill effects and we are only just realizing the consequences of irregular sleep, said Flinders University researcher Dr Hannah Scott. Clearly getting the recommended sleep duration range frequently is a challenge for many people to achieve, especially during the working week.�

Sleeping less than six hours a night on average is linked to everything from increased mortality risk to an increased chance of obesity.�

Young displeased, tired man with insomnia unable to sleep and suffering from burnout and fatigue struggling to get up out of bed in the morning. Mentally exhausted male awake in bed feeling stressed
Credit: Dean Mitchell

There are several measures you can take to get a better night’s sleep, with the first and most reported being putting your damn device down. 

In the same research, experts also emphasised the importance of reducing caffeine intake in the afternoon as coffee, energy drinks, and soda have a habit of staying in are system for up to 10 hours!

Co-author� Professor Danny Eckert added: Given what we know about the importance of sleep to health, we also need to assist people to resolve chronic sleep difficulties and encourage all people to make sleep a priority.