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Sleep Patterns Across the U.S.: Discover the States Where People Are Getting the Most Sleep

Sleep Patterns Across the U.S.: Discover the States Where People Are Getting the Most Sleep

Explore the sleep habits of Americans across different states. Learn about the importance of sleep and how to improve it for better health.

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Sleep, a vital component of our health, varies significantly across the United States. This article explores the states where people are getting the most sleep and provides expert tips to help you achieve a restful night.

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is not merely a "down time" when the brain gets to rest. In fact, while we sleep, our brains are hard at work. For instance, sleep prepares your brain to learn, remember, and create. Moreover, the brain has a drainage system that removes toxins during sleep. These toxins include some of the proteins linked with Alzheimer's disease.

Everything from blood vessels to the immune system uses sleep as a time for repair. "There are certain repair processes that occur in the body mostly, or most effectively, during sleep," explains Dr. Kenneth Wright, Jr., a sleep researcher at the University of Colorado.

Sleep Across the States

Sleep patterns vary considerably across the country. According to the 2021 report by the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program, about 70 percent of adults living in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Colorado are getting more than 7 hours of sleep a night. On the other hand, in Hawaii, less than 60 percent of the population is managing to get enough sleep.

Interestingly, South Dakota tops the chart with 71.6% of sleepers getting at least 7 hours of sleep, with Colorado coming as a close second at 71.5%. Those getting the most shut-eye tend to live in the Great Plains and Far West states.

 

Expert Tips for Better Sleep

Andrew Huberman, a neuroscience expert at Stanford University, shares some science-supported tips and tricks for improved sleep:

  1. View sunlight by going outside within 30-60 minutes of waking. Do that again in the afternoon, prior to sunset.
  2. Wake up at the same time each day and go to sleep when you first start to feel sleepy.
  3. Avoid caffeine within 8-10 hours of bedtime.
  4. If you have sleep disturbances, insomnia, or anxiety about sleep, try some form of self-hypnosis.
  5. Avoid viewing bright lights — especially bright overhead lights between 10pm and 4am.
  6. Limit daytime naps to less than 90 minutes, or don't nap at all.

By incorporating these tips into your routine, you can improve both the quantity and quality of your sleep.

Conclusion

Sleep is a vital, often neglected, component of every person's overall health and well-being. It is important to make sleep a priority and use these expert tips to improve your sleep habits. Remember, a good night's sleep is not a luxury—it's a necessity.

 

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