Shutterstock.com Don’t be like this guy. Get more sleep at home in bed. 
 
 How much sleep do you get every night? Studies show that most people try to muddle by on less than seven hours, but new research claims to have found the exact amount of time we need. 
 
 Men need 7.8 hours per night and women need 7.6 hours, according to a study that tracked 3,760 people over seven years and published in the September issue of the journal Sleep. They cross-referenced data on work absence due to illness from Finland’s Social Insurance Institution with sleep disturbances and sickness absence of the study’s participants, who were examined by physicians. After adjusting for age, education, working conditions, health behaviors and mental health, the scientists calculated the “optimal sleep duration.” 
 
 Sleep experts say the results are particularly relevant in the U.S., where 40% of people get less than seven hours of sleep a night, according to a 2013 Gallup poll. Americans, on average, had what’s now regarded as the optimal amount of sleep in the 1940s (7.9 hours per night), but that’s fallen to 6.8 hours in 2013. Americans aged 65 and older report getting the most sleep (67% get 7 or more hours per night) while only 54% of 18- to 29-year-olds and less than half of 18- to 29-year-olds report getting 7 or more hours. 
 
 What college admissions offices won't tell you Five things that the college admissions office won't share with applicants. 
 
 The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends between 7 and 9 hours per night, but Nathaniel Watson, president of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, says people are getting less sleep in part because of their increasing reliance on technology. “We generally recommend that people have a period where they wind down before they go to sleep,” he says. “When people are interacting with technology, not only are they interrupting with that wind down period, but they’re being stimulated by blue wavelengths of light, which further makes sleeping difficult.” 
 
 Also see: The high price of insomnia 
 
 What’s more, studies show that people overestimate the amount of time they sleep by around 45 minutes, says James Maas, former chairman of the Department of Psychology at Cornell University who is widely credited with coining the term “power nap”. “Sometimes, you’re going to toss and turn before you fall asleep,” he says. “It’s hard to know accurately the quantity without measuring brainwaves. You can be in bed for eight or nine hours and have a bad sleep.” Bad dreams don’t help, he adds. “Your blood pressure may go up. Nightmares can be exhausting, mentally and physically.” 
 
 This is exactly how much sleep you need Are you getting enough sleep? Scientists reveal the magic sleep number for getting the optimal amount of rest. 
 
 People experiencing sleep insufficiency are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity, plus cancer, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Simon Rego, director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, says each person has a unique sleep requirement. 
 
 “A simple definition for sufficient sleep is a sleep duration that is followed by a spontaneous awakening and leaves the person feeling refreshed and alert for the day,” he says. 
 
 More from MarketWatch ||||| People who sleep for more than eight hours a day have an increased risk of stroke, according to a study by the University of Cambridge - and this risk doubles for older people who persistently sleep longer than average. However, the researchers say it is unclear why this association exists and call for further research to explore the link. 
 
 Previous studies have already suggested a possible association between sleep and risk of stroke, but today's study, published in the journal Neurology, is the first to provide detailed information about the British population and to examine the relationship between a change in sleep duration over time and subsequent stroke risk. 
 
 Researchers from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge followed just under 10,000 people aged 42-81 years of age from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort over 9.5 years. During 1998-2000 and then again four years later, they asked the cohort how many hours on average they slept in a day and whether they generally slept well. 
 
 Almost seven out of ten participants reported sleeping between six and eight hours a day, whilst one in ten reported sleeping for over eight hours a day. Participants who slept for less than six hours or more than eight hours were more likely to be older, women and less active. 
 
 Over the almost ten year period of the study, 346 participants suffered a stroke, either non-fatal or fatal stroke. After adjusting for various factors including age and sex, the researchers found that people who slept longer than eight hours a day were at a 46% greater risk of stroke than average. People who slept less than six hours a day were at an 18% increased risk, but the small number of people falling in this category meant the association was not statistically significant. 
 
 Participants who reported persistently long sleep - in other words, they reported sleeping over eight hours when asked at both points of the study - were at double the risk of stroke compared to those with persistently average sleep duration (between six and eight hours a day). This risk was even greater for those whose reported sleep increased from short to long over the four years - their risk was close to four times that of people who maintained an average sleep duration. 
 
 In addition to studying the EPIC-Norfolk cohort, the researchers carried out a study of combined data from 11 other studies related to identify the association between sleep duration and patterns of stroke risk. Their final analysis, including 560,000 participants from seven countries, supported the findings from the EPIC-Norfolk cohort study. 
 
 Yue Leng, PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge, says: "It's apparent both from our own participants and the wealth of international data that there's a link between sleeping longer than average and a greater risk of stroke. What is far less clear, however, is the direction of this link, whether longer sleep is a symptom, an early marker or a cause of cardiovascular problems." 
 
 While older people have less work and fewer social demands and therefore often have the option of sleeping longer, previous research has shown that in fact, they tend to sleep on average for shorter periods. 
 
 The researchers say it is unclear yet why the link between sleep and stroke risk should exist. Lack of sleep has been linked with factors such as disrupted metabolism and raised levels of the 'stress hormone' cortisol, all of which may lead to higher blood pressure and increased stroke risk. However, the current study suggests that the association between longer sleep duration and higher risk of stroke was independent of normal risk factors for cardiovascular disease. 
 
 Professor Kay-Tee Khaw, senior author on the study, adds: "We need to understand the reasons behind the link between sleep and stroke risk. What is happening in the body that causes this link? With further research, we may find that excessive sleep proves to be an early indicator of increased stroke risk, particularly among older people." 
 
 ### 
 
 The study was supported by the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK. ||||| Pushing back school start times by just 30 minutes each day can improve alertness, mood and health in adolescents, according to a study published in JAMA's Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 
 
 "Ranging from the amount of sleep they were getting, to self-reported sleepiness, to self-reported depressed mood to tardiness, the study demonstrates you can make a positive impact with relatively small change in start time, " said lead study author Dr. Judith A. Owens, director of the pediatric sleep disorder center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. 
 
 According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), most adolescents experience biological changes to their internal clocks during this transition from childhood to adulthood. Those changes often cause them to fall asleep later. When those young people must awake early for school, they don't get the 8.5 to 9.25 hours of sleep their bodies need. 
 
 In addition, a 2006 poll by the NSF found that nearly one-half of adolescents in America were getting less than eight hours of sleep, and many reported that they were aware they were getting less sleep than they needed to feel their best. 
 
 In the current study, researchers looked at just over 200 students in grades nine-12 at a private school. The students took a survey, both before and after the school start time was changed from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to find out about sleep-related problems and both sleep and wake behaviors. 
 
 Overall, the number of students who reported feeling unhappy, depressed, annoyed or irritated decreased. Also, fewer found themselves at the health center for fatigue-related concerns. 
 
 "If you really need nine hours, and you're only getting six and a half hours or seven hours, even that extra half-hour can make a big difference," Owens said. She says future studies should include looking at academic performance. 
 
 "There are a lot of schools around the country at least contemplating doing this. I think it would be very important for these schools to make an effort to systematically examine the impact- whether that's positive or negative, because we need to have the data to show to schools who are thinking about doing this, because it's not a trivial challenge from an operational standpoint. There are a lot of issues to be resolved. We need to have strong enough evidence that it has a positive beneficial effect in order to recommend this- that other schools do the same thing," she added. 
 
 Owens noted that the school in the study did not go back to their 8 a.m. start time, as originally intended. ||||| Persons using assistive technology might not be able to fully access information in this file. For assistance, please send e-mail to: mmwrq@cdc.gov. Type 508 Accommodation and the title of the report in the subject line of e-mail. 
 
 Unhealthy Sleep-Related Behaviors --- 12 States, 2009 
 
 An estimated 50--70 million adults in the United States have chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders (1). Sleep difficulties, some of which are preventable, are associated with chronic diseases, mental disorders, health-risk behaviors, limitations of daily functioning, injury, and mortality (1,2). The National Sleep Foundation suggests that most adults need 7--9 hours of sleep per night, although individual variations exist. To assess the prevalence and distribution of selected sleep difficulties and behaviors, CDC analyzed data from a new sleep module added to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2009. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which determined that, among 74,571 adult respondents in 12 states, 35.3% reported having <7 hours of sleep on average during a 24-hour period, 48.0% reported snoring, 37.9% reported unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least 1 day in the preceding 30 days, and 4.7% reported nodding off or falling asleep while driving in the preceding 30 days. Continued public health surveillance of sleep quality, duration, behaviors, and disorders is needed to understand and address sleep difficulties and their impact on health. As a first step, a multifaceted approach that includes increased public awareness and education and training in sleep medicine for appropriate health-care professionals is needed; however, broad societal factors, including technology use and work policies, also must be considered. 
 
 BRFSS is a state-based, random-digit--dialed telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. civilian population aged ≥18 years, conducted by state health departments in collaboration with CDC (3). Based on Council of American Survey and Research Organizations (CASRO) guidelines, response rates* for 12 states† that used the optional sleep module in 2009§ ranged from 40.0% (Maryland) to 66.9% (Nebraska). Cooperation rates¶ ranged from 55.5% (California) to 83.9% (Georgia). 
 
 The following questions from the sleep module were asked: "On average, how many hours of sleep do you get in a 24-hour period? Think about the time you actually spend sleeping or napping, not just the amount of sleep you think you should get (categorized as <7 hours and ≥7 hours**)." "Do you snore? (can have been told by spouse or someone else; categorized as yes or no)?" "During the past 30 days, for about how many days did you find yourself unintentionally falling asleep during the day (categorized as none or at least 1 day reported)?" and "During the past 30 days, have you ever nodded off or fallen asleep, even just for a brief moment, while driving (categorized as yes or no)?" Age-standardized (to the projected U.S. 2000 population) prevalence estimates were calculated by state and by selected characteristics; 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and statistical significance (at p<0.05) was determined by t-test. 
 
 Among respondents, 35.3% reported sleeping <7 hours on average during a 24-hour period (Table). Adults aged ≥65 years were significantly less likely to report sleeping <7 hours (24.5%) than persons in all other age categories. Non-Hispanic blacks (48.3%) and non-Hispanic persons of other races (38.7%) were more likely to report sleeping <7 hours than non-Hispanic whites (34.9%). No significant differences were observed by sex. Compared with employed adults (37.4%), those unable to work (46.4%) were significantly more likely to report <7 hours of sleep, but retired adults (25.0%) and homemakers and students (30.8%) were less likely. Adults with at least some college education (35.8%) were significantly more likely to report <7 hours of sleep than those with less than a high school diploma (32.0%) as were divorced, widowed, or separated (39.1%) and never married adults (37.9%), compared with married adults (35.1%). 
 
 Snoring was reported by 48.0% of respondents (Table). Persons aged 18--24 years were least likely (25.6%) to report snoring. Hispanics (50.6%) were more likely to report snoring than non-Hispanic whites (46.8%), as were men (56.5%) compared with women (39.6%). Compared with employed persons (50.5%), retired adults (37.9%) and homemakers/students (37.0%) were significantly less likely to report snoring. Persons with less than a high school diploma (51.2%) and with a high school diploma or General Educational Development certificate (GED) (49.9%) were significantly more likely to report snoring than those with at least some college or a college degree (47.0%), as were married persons (49.5%) compared with never married (43.5%) persons. 
 
 An estimated 37.9% of adults reported unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least 1 day in the preceding 30 days (Table). Adults aged 18--24 years (43.7%) and ≥65 years (44.6%) were significantly more likely to report this behavior than all other age groups, as were persons from all other racial/ethnic categories compared with non-Hispanic whites (33.4%). No significant difference was observed by sex. Compared with employed persons (33.5%), those who were unemployed (44.0%), unable to work (57.3%), and homemakers/students (39.3%) were significantly more likely to report unintentionally falling asleep during the day. Persons with at least some college education (35.9%) were significantly less likely to report unintentionally falling asleep than those with a high school diploma or GED (39.6%) or less education (43.4%). Never married adults (42.9%) were significantly more likely to report unintentionally falling asleep during the day than married adults (35.9%). 
 
 Nodding off or falling asleep while driving in the preceding 30 days was reported by 4.7% of adults (Table). Persons aged ≥65 years (2.0%) were significantly less likely to report this behavior than persons aged 25--34 years (7.2%), 35--44 years (5.7%), 18--24 years (4.5%), 45--54 years (3.9%), and 55--64 years (3.1%). Hispanics (6.3%), non-Hispanic blacks (6.5%), and non-Hispanics of other races (7.2%) all were significantly more likely to report this behavior than non-Hispanic whites (3.2%). Men were more likely (5.8%) to report this behavior, compared with women (3.5%), and employed persons were more likely (5.4%), compared with homemakers and students (2.2%). No significant differences were observed by educational level or marital status. 
 
 Persons who reported sleeping <7 hours on average during a 24-hour period were more likely to report unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least 1 day in the preceding 30 days (46.2% versus 33.2%) and nodding off or falling asleep while driving in the preceding 30 days (7.3% versus 3.0%) (Figure). They also were more likely to report snoring (51.4% versus 46.0%). 
 
 Among adults in the 12 states surveyed, reports of <7 hours of sleep ranged from 27.6% in Minnesota to 44.6% in Hawaii. Snoring estimates ranged from 44.8% in California to 54.0% in Hawaii. Estimates of unintentionally falling asleep during the day in the preceding 30 days ranged from 33.0% in Wyoming to 42.8% in Hawaii. Finally, estimates of nodding off or falling asleep while driving in the preceding 30 days ranged from 3.0% in Illinois to 6.4% in Hawaii and Texas. 
 
 Reported by 
 
 LR McKnight-Eily, PhD, Y Liu, MS, MPH, AG Wheaton, PhD, JB Croft, PhD, GS Perry, DrPH, Div of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Heath Promotion; CA Okoro, MS, T Strine, PhD, Public Health Surveillance Program Office, Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Science, CDC. 
 
 Editorial Note 
 
 This report is the first to present estimates of the prevalence of unhealthy sleep-related behaviors based on responses to questions added to BRFSS in 2009. The results highlight two prevalences of self-reported sleep-related behaviors with potentially dangerous consequences: 37.9% of adults in 12 states reported unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least 1 day in the preceding 30 days, and 4.7% reported nodding off or falling asleep while driving during the same period. The sleep module, consisting of questions derived from surveillance-system and clinically validated sleep surveys, was developed by CDC and the National Sleep Awareness Roundtable†† in response to an Institute of Medicine recommendation to expand surveillance and monitoring of sleep loss and sleep disorders and to increase public awareness of unhealthy sleep behaviors (1). 
 
 Nationwide surveillance has not previously assessed the prevalence of either unintentionally falling asleep during the day or nodding off or falling asleep while driving. Drowsy driving, one of the most lethal consequences of inadequate sleep, has been responsible for an estimated 1,550 fatalities and 40,000 nonfatal injuries annually in the United States (4). In the analysis summarized in this report, the prevalence of falling asleep while driving ranged from 2.0% among persons aged ≥65 years to 7.2% among persons aged 25--34 years. Populations previously found at greatest risk included persons aged 16--29 years (particularly males), those with untreated sleep apnea syndrome or narcolepsy, and those who work shifts, particularly night shifts or extended shifts (4). Sleepiness reduces vigilance while driving, slowing reaction time, and leading to deficits in information processing, which can result in crashes (4). Differences among adults in the 12 states in the prevalence of nodding off or falling asleep while driving were substantial (range: 3.0% in Illinois to 6.4% in Hawaii and Texas) and might result from differences in the prevalence of populations at greater risk or differences in the use of safety measures, such as road rumble strips, an evidenced-based intervention that alerts inattentive drivers through vibration and sound.§§ 
 
 Unintentionally falling asleep during the day can be indicative of narcolepsy or hypersomnia and has been associated with obstructive sleep apnea, which, in turn, has been associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity (1). Falling asleep on the job can result in productivity losses for employers and dismissal for workers. In addition, depending on circumstances and level of responsibility, unintentionally falling asleep during the day can have dangerous consequences (e.g., while child caretaking, lifeguarding, or operating heavy equipment). To assess the potential impact of unintentionally falling asleep during the day, additional inquiry regarding the circumstances of this behavior is required. 
 
 Snoring, reported by 48.0% of participating adults, is a symptom of increased upper airway resistance during sleep and generally considered a marker for obstructive sleep apnea (1,5); pregnant women who snore can be at risk for preeclampsia (5). The finding in this report regarding average hours slept per 24-hour period is similar to findings in other reports. In this analysis, 35.3% of U.S. adults in 12 states reported having <7 hours of sleep on average during a 24-hour period, compared with approximately 29% in the 2004--2006 National Health Interview Survey (6), and compared with 37.1% in the 2005--2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who said they had <7 hours of sleep on workday and weekday nights (7). 
 
 Differences in prevalence by sociodemographic characteristics and state were observed for all four sleep-related behaviors. Adults in Hawaii had the highest prevalences for all four behaviors. The reasons for higher prevalences in Hawaii and other variations are unclear and might be subjects for further examination. 
 
 The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, the increase in the number of households with cellular telephones only and the increase in telephone number portability continue to decrease BRFSS response rates, reducing the precision of state estimates and potentially introducing bias. Although in 2009 all states conducted BRFSS surveys for cellular-only households in addition to households with landline telephones, cellular telephone data were not included for the sleep module and other optional modules. Second, institutionalized persons and persons residing in households without landline telephones are not included in the survey, nor are adults from all 50 states and U.S. territories, thereby limiting the generalizability of these findings. Finally, all estimates were based on self-report rather than physiologic measures of sleep behaviors with actigraphy (use of a movement-detection device with software that uses movement patterns to diagnose sleep disorders) (1) or polysomnography. 
 
 Substantial increases in the percentage of U.S. adults reporting an average of <7 hours of sleep per 24-hour period were observed from 1985 to 2004¶¶ and can be attributed in part to broad societal changes, including increases in technology use and shift work (1). Sleep disorders are common health concerns that can be evaluated and treated. However, many health-care professionals might have only limited training in somnology and sleep medicine, impeding their ability to recognize, diagnose, and treat sleep disorders or promote sleep health to their patients (1). The results described in this report indicate that a large percentage of adults in 12 states reported unhealthy sleep behaviors that can be related to disease comorbidity (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea and obesity), including nearly one in 20 persons who reported nodding off or falling asleep while driving in the preceding 30 days. Expanded surveillance is needed to understand and address the public health burden of sleep loss and disorders (1) and their associations with health problems and chronic diseases among adults in all 50 states and U.S. territories, which will enable further assessment of state and nationwide trends. 
 
 Healthy People 2020 includes a sleep health section, with four objectives: increase the proportion of persons with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea who seek medical evaluation, reduce the rate of vehicular crashes per 100 million miles traveled that are caused by drowsy driving, increase the proportion of students in grades 9--12 who get sufficient sleep, and increase the proportion of adults who get sufficient sleep.*** Promoting sleep health, including optimal sleep durations, and reducing the prevalence and impact of sleep disorders will require a multifaceted approach. This approach should consider 1) sleep environments (i.e., living conditions and proximity to noise); 2) type, scheduling, and duration of work (8); 3) associated health-risk behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity, and heavy drinking (1,9); 4) chronic conditions such as obesity and depression and other comorbid mental disorders (1,5); 5) stress and socioeconomic status (8); and 6) validation of new and existing therapeutic technologies (1). Drowsy driving also should be addressed, and additional effective interventions developed and implemented. As a first step, greater public awareness of sleep health and sleeping disorders is needed. 
 
 Acknowledgments 
 
 The findings in this report are based, in part, on contributions by BRFSS state coordinators in California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Texas, and Wyoming; and DP Chapman, PhD, and LR Presley-Cantrell, PhD, Div of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Heath Promotion, CDC. 
 
 References 
 
 What is already known on this topic? An estimated 50--70 million U.S. adults have chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders, and the percentage who report <7 hours of sleep on average has increased since the 1980s to approximately one third of all U.S. adults. What is added by this report? This report provides the first prevalence estimates from nationwide (12 states) surveillance of unintentionally falling asleep during the day (37.9%) at least 1 day in the preceding 30 days, and nodding off or falling asleep while driving (4.7%) during the same period; in addition, 35.3% reported <7 hours of sleep in a typical 24-hour period. What are the implications for public health? Increased public awareness, expanded surveillance and research, training of health-care professionals, and a multifaceted approach that considers related health, employment, lifestyle, and environmental factors will be needed to improve sleep health among U.S. adults and reduce the prevalence of unhealthy sleep-related behaviors and sleep disorders. 
 
 TABLE. Age-specific and age-adjusted* percentage of adults reporting certain sleep-related behaviors, by selected characteristics --- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 12 states, 2009 Characteristic No.† Sleeping on average <7 hrs in 24-hr period (n = 74,571) Snoring 
 
 (n = 68,462) Unintentionally fell asleep during the day at least 1 day in the preceding 30 days 
 
 (n = 74,063) Nodded off or fell asleep while driving in the preceding 30 days 
 
 (n = 71,578) % (95% CI) % (95% CI) % (95% CI) % (95% CI) Total 74,571 35.3 (34.5--36.1) 48.0 (47.2--48.8) 37.9 (37.1--38.7) 4.7 (4.2-- 5.1) Age group (yrs) 18--24 2,330 30.9 (27.8--33.9) 25.6 (22.7--28.6) 43.7 (40.4--47.1) 4.5 (3.0--5.9) 25--34 6,637 39.4 (37.3--41.6) 39.6 (37.4--41.8) 36.1 (34.0--38.2) 7.2 (5.8--8.6) 35--44 10,645 39.3 (37.7--41.0) 51.0 (49.2--52.7) 34.0 (32.3--35.6) 5.7 (4.9--6.6) 45--54 15,407 39.0 (37.6--40.5) 59.3 (57.8--60.8) 35.3 (33.8--36.7) 3.9 (3.3--4.6) 55--64 16,385 34.2 (32.7--35.7) 62.4 (60.9--63.9) 36.5 (35.0--38.0) 3.1 (2.4--3.8) ≥65 23,167 24.5 (23.4--25.6) 50.5 (49.2--51.9) 44.6 (43.4--45.9) 2.0 (1.6--2.3) Race/Ethnicity White, non-Hispanic 55,773 34.9 (33.9--35.9) 46.8 (45.9--47.8) 33.4 (32.5--34.4) 3.2 (2.8--3.6) Black, non-Hispanic 5,583 48.3 (45.7--51.0) 48.3 (45.8--50.8) 52.4 (49.7--55.1) 6.5 (5.1--7.9) Hispanic 6,198 33.0 (31.2--34.8) 50.6 (48.8--52.5) 41.9 (40.0--43.8) 6.3 (5.3--7.3) Other, non-Hispanic§ 6,484 38.7 (35.8--41.5) 48.2 (45.4--51.1) 41.0 (38.1--43.9) 7.2 (5.1--9.3) Sex Men 28,330 35.3 (34.2--36.5) 56.5 (55.3--57.8) 38.4 (37.2--39.7) 5.8 (5.1--6.5) Women 46,241 35.2 (34.2--36.2) 39.6 (38.7--40.6) 37.3 (36.3--38.4) 3.5 (3.1--3.9) Employment status Employed 38,814 37.4 (36.2--38.5) 50.5 (49.4--51.6) 33.5 (32.4--34.6) 5.4 (4.8--6.0) Unemployed 3,996 35.1 (32.2--38.0) 50.9 (47.9--54.0) 44.0 (41.0--47.0) 4.6 (3.2--6.0) Retired 20,304 25.0 (16.8--33.2) 37.9 (31.6--44.1) 27.3 (19.7--34.9) ---¶ --- Unable to work 4,001 46.4 (41.2--51.5) 55.8 (50.1--61.4) 57.3 (51.9--62.7) 9.5 (4.4--14.6) Homemaker/Student 7,134 30.8 (28.9--32.8) 37.0 (35.0--39.0) 39.3 (37.3--41.4) 2.2 (1.6-- 2.9) Education level Less than high school diploma or GED 6,393 32.0 (29.8--34.2) 51.2 (48.7--53.7) 43.4 (40.9--45.9) 5.4 (4.2--6.5) High school diploma or GED 20,504 37.0 (35.4--38.6) 49.9 (48.3--51.5) 39.6 (38.1--41.2) 4.0 (3.4--4.7) At least some college 47,426 35.8 (34.8--36.8) 47.0 (46.0--47.9) 35.9 (34.9--36.9) 4.8 (4.2-- 5.4) Marital status Married 42,965 35.1 (33.5--36.6) 49.5 (47.9--51.1) 35.9 (34.3--37.5) 4.3 (3.8--4.8) Divorced/Widowed/Separated 21,199 39.1 (36.5--41.8) 46.4 (43.0--49.9) 39.7 (35.9--43.5) 4.4 (3.3--5.5) Never married 8,590 37.9 (35.9--40.0) 43.5 (41.3--45.7) 42.9 (40.8--45.0) 4.6 (3.5--5.6) Member of unmarried couple 1,638 34.2 (30.2--38.2) 51.6 (47.4--55.8) 39.5 (35.4--43.6) 5.8 (3.5--8.1) State California 11,713 34.5 (33.3--35.8) 44.8 (43.6--46.1) 37.5 (36.3--38.8) 4.9 (4.3--5.5) Georgia 5,387 36.9 (34.5--39.2) 51.0 (48.8--53.1) 39.4 (37.1--41.8) 4.2 (3.2-- 5.2) Hawaii 6,288 44.6 (42.6--46.5) 54.0 (52.0--56.0) 42.8 (40.8--44.7) 6.4 (5.4-- 7.4) Illinois 5,549 36.1 (34.3--37.9) 49.3 (47.4--51.1) 38.6 (36.7--40.4) 3.0 (2.3-- 3.7) Kansas 8,703 30.0 (28.6--31.5) 53.9 (52.3--55.5) 35.4 (33.8--36.9) 3.3 (2.8-- 3.9) Louisiana 8,415 35.8 (34.1--37.5) 53.6 (51.9--55.4) 38.1 (36.4--39.8) 4.0 (3.3-- 4.7) Maryland 3,910 39.9 (37.4--42.4) 48.9 (46.4--51.4) 40.7 (38.1--43.3) 4.6 (3.4-- 5.7) Minnesota 5,519 27.6 (25.7--29.4) 51.6 (49.6--53.6) 33.7 (31.8--35.6) 3.1 (2.4-- 3.7) Nebraska 4,939 30.7 (27.9--33.4) 48.7 (45.6--51.7) 35.0 (32.0--38.1) 3.3 (2.3-- 4.2) New York 3,139 40.7 (38.1--43.2) 50.5 (47.8--53.1) 38.9 (36.4--41.4) 3.9 (2.8-- 5.0) Texas 5,310 34.0 (31.5--36.4) 52.1 (49.6--54.6) 38.6 (36.0--41.1) 6.4 (4.5-- 8.3) Wyoming 5,699 31.6 (29.8--33.5) 52.2 (50.4--54.1) 33.0 (31.1--34.9) 4.0 (3.1-- 4.9)
– Suspect you're not getting enough sleep? You can now verify whether that is indeed the case. In a study published last month in the journal Sleep, researchers claim to have determined exactly how much sleep we need: 7.6 hours for women and 7.8 hours for men. The findings arose from a quest to look at the optimal amount of sleep needed to reduce the risk of "sickness absence." To get to those findings, researchers followed 3,760 Finnish participants over a seven-year span and compared their sleep disturbances (such as early morning awakenings and use of sleeping pills) with data on illness-related work absences provided by the country's Social Insurance Institution. They then adjusted for a slew of things, like working conditions and education, and arrived at their figures, noting "direct costs due to sickness absence could decrease by up to 28% if sleep disturbances could be fully addressed." MarketWatch cites a 2013 Gallup poll that found 40% of Americans don't make it to the seven-hour mark; the average amount of sleep was 6.8 hours. That's actually slightly up from the 6.7 hours poll-takers reported to Gallup in 1990 and 2001, but a big drop from how we lived decades ago: In 1942, the average was 7.9. But other recent research suggests the magic amount of sleep might actually be closer to seven hours than eight. Which figure to go with? The CDC might be able to help; it plans to issue new guidelines, possibly as soon as next year. (In other sleep news, find out why you should nap after coffee.)