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An American Portrait: Less Fun, Less Sleep, More Work |
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According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2001 Sleep in America poll, conducted through a random sample of 1,004 adults nationwide, America’s adults are spending less time sleeping, engaging in social and leisure activities, and having sex than the did just five years ago. Most American’s also report that they suffer from sleep problems.
These are some of the key findings of the poll, released in the spring of 2001. Sleep deprivation continues to be widespread in America, with a majority of adults (63%) not getting the recommended eight hours of sleep needed for good health, safety, and optimum performance. Nearly one-third reported that they sleep less than seven hours each weeknight. More than one-third of the poll’s respondents also claimed they get less sleep now than five years ago, and seven in 10 (69%) say they experience frequent sleep problems, through most have not been diagnosed. But more than eight of 10 say they would sleep more if they knew they could be healthier (85%), perform in a safer way and avoid injuries (83%) and could improve their memory (82%). |
Americans’ lifestyles have undergone a change in recent years. Compared to five years ago, 40% say they spend more time at work and 38% report that they are working 50 or more hours per week. This re-allocation of time and the prioritization of work have a direct affect on sleep: those who work more sleep less. They also experience more insomnia than those who spend fewer hours working. About half of those surveyed (51%) reported frequent symptoms of insomnia and more than 38%, mostly males, reported frequent snoring. Those who report the following medical conditions are most likely to experience a sleep problem: depression (83%), nighttime heartburn (82%), diabetes (81%), cancer (79%), hypertension (79%), heart disease (78%) and/or arthritis (76%). For further highlights and details of the 2001 Sleep in America poll, please go to the NSF web site at www.sleepfoundation.org.
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