Polls show that one in five Americans “rarely or never” wake up feeling rested, and new research pinpoints what keeps us from sleeping.
According to a U.S. News & World Report survey, general stress is the biggest culprit affecting the sleep habits of 74% of Americans.
“More specifically, we collected data on the bedtime issues that are keeping Americans up at night,” Julia Forbes, sleep editor at U.S. News 360 Reviews, told Fox News Digital.
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These were the top reasons Americans would hesitate to move in 2023, according to a survey of 1,200 American adults.
Polls show that one in five Americans “rarely or never” wake up feeling rested, and new research pinpoints what keeps us from sleeping. (iStock)
Top 5 bedtime worries
1. Inflation
2. COVID-19
3. Gun violence in America
4. Climate change
5. 2024 Presidential Election
The list of concerns for 2023 is largely the same as for 2022, with a Russia-Ukraine war coming in last.
The rising cost of living shouldn't be a surprise, according to Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in Manhattan and Washington, DC, and author of “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days.”
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“This is something that a lot of people, including many of my patients, are concerned about most,” Alpert, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
“As prices of goods and services continue to rise, people are increasingly worried about the cost of living.”
Stress is generally cited as the biggest culprit, negatively impacting the sleep habits of 74% of Americans. (iStock)
The psychotherapist commented that climate change was also on the list.
“One might argue that people who are worried about the climate don't have more pressing concerns, like how to pay the bills or whether their child will be involved in a school shooting,” Alpert said.
“As prices of goods and services continue to rise, people are increasingly worried about the cost of living.”
“My guess is that people who are concerned about climate change are more likely to live in Democratic states than Republican states. There's politics at play here.”
Dr. Chris Mosnick, chief clinical director at Calm in San Francisco, said it's “not surprising” that the election is one of the biggest things keeping Americans up at night.
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“Developing healthy habits to help you get a good night's sleep is important for relaxing at night, especially during times of heightened anxiety like an election,” he told Fox News Digital.
Alpert agreed that the election remains a source of stress for his patients, and that it's hard to forget about it at night.
According to the survey, going to bed at irregular hours was the top of the list of worst sleep habits that affect people's sleep. (iStock)
Not only can your thoughts change rapidly, but certain habits and activities can make it difficult to get optimal quality and quantity of sleep.
Top 5 worst sleep habits
1. Sleeping at different times
2. Watching a screen in bed
3. Eating too much before bed
4. Falling asleep with the TV on
5. Staying up all night
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Dr. Chris Winter, a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Mattress Firm in Houston, Texas, said an irregular schedule naturally tops the list.
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“There's a growing body of research showing that inconsistent sleep duration, even good quality sleep and sufficient sleep duration, can be linked to a variety of negative health effects, including heart disease, weight gain, cognitive decline and even cancer,” Winter, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
According to a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, roughly 90% of adults and 75% of children have at least one electronic device in their bedroom. (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
The screen time issue, he noted, is easily solved: “Just leave your phone in the kitchen.”
According to a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), approximately 90% of adults and 75% of children have at least one electronic device in their bedroom.
“Inconsistent sleep patterns can have a variety of negative effects on your health.”
Winter said staying up all night should be high on the list.
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“From a sleep, health and safety perspective, this is a terrible situation,” he said.
According to the NSF, the general recommendation for adults between the ages of 18 and 64 is to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
