Getting good night’s sleep becoming more difficult

The economy, politics and recent world events are enough to keep anyone awake at night. In a recent “U.S. News & World Report” poll, more than 20 percent of U.S. adults said they rarely or never wake up feeling well-rested, nearly half have experienced insomnia in 2023 and 17 percent said they’ have suffered from sleep apnea.

The biggest concerns hindering sleep are:

• The increase in the cost of living;
• The COVID-19 pandemic;
• Gun violence;
• Climate change; and
• The 2024 presidential election.

“In addition to these general worries, there are also specific concerns that may keep Americans up at night, depending on their individual circumstances, such as relationship problems or work stress,” Dr. Shelby Harris, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis, told Fox News.

A previous poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that 89 percent of adults and 75 percent of children have at least one electronic device in their bedrooms. Survey respondents shared these top five habits that are detrimental to their sleep:

• Going to bed at inconsistent times;
• Accessing screens in bed;
• Eating too much before bed;
• Falling asleep with the television on; and
• Staying up all night.

“Other common sleep habits that can negatively affect sleep quality include consuming caffeine or alcohol close to bed, napping for too long or too late in the day, not getting enough sunlight in the morning or afternoon, sleeping in a hot or uncomfortable environment and not having a relaxing bedtime routine,” Harris said.

In the survey, adults were asked to rate which items are most critical for quality sleep. From most to least important, they noted the following:

• High-quality mattress;
• Memory foam pillows;
• High thread-count sheets;
• Down comforter; and
• Weighted blanket.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults between 18 and 64 years of age get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.