One in five Americans surveyed say they “rarely or never” wake up feeling well rested, and a new survey has identified the factors that prevent sleep.
Stress in general was labeled as the top culprit, negatively impacting 74% of Americans' sleep routines, according to the US News & World Report survey.
“More specifically, we gathered data on the bedtime concerns that keep Americans up at night,” Julia Forbes, sleep editor for US News 360 Reviews, told Fox News Digital.
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According to a survey of 1,200 American adults, these were the biggest concerns keeping Americans from falling asleep in 2023.
One in five Americans surveyed say they “rarely or never” wake up feeling well rested, and a new survey has identified the factors that prevent sleep. (iStock)
Top 5 concerns when sleeping
1. Inflation
2. COVID-19
3. Gun violence in the United States
4. Climate change
5. 2024 presidential elections
The list of concerns for 2023 was almost identical to that for 2022, with the war between Russia and Ukraine taking last place.
Cost-of-living issues aren't surprising, according to Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., and author of “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days.”
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“This is often a top concern for people, including many of my patients,” Alpert, who was not involved in the survey, told Fox News Digital.
“As the prices of goods and services continue to rise, so do people's concerns about how to make ends meet.”
Stress in general was labeled as the main culprit, negatively impacting 74% of Americans' sleep routines. (iStock)
The psychotherapist also commented on climate change in the list.
“People who care about the climate, some might argue, don't have more pressing concerns, like how to pay their bills or whether their child might be involved in a school shooting,” Alpert said.
“As the prices of goods and services continue to rise, so do people's concerns about how to make ends meet.”
“I assume that people who care about climate change might live in more blue states than red ones, and that there are politics at play here.”
Dr. Chris Mosunic, clinical director of Calm in San Francisco, said it's “no surprise” that the election is one of the top concerns keeping Americans up at night.
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“When it comes to getting a good night's rest, especially during times of heightened anxiety like elections, practicing healthy habits is crucial to winding down at night,” she told Fox News Digital.
Alpert agreed that elections remain a source of stress for her patients, who find it difficult to switch off at night.
Going to bed at inconsistent times was the worst sleep habit that affected people's sleep, according to the survey. (iStock)
In addition to racing thoughts, certain habits and activities can make it difficult to get the optimal quality and quantity of sleep.
The 5 worst sleeping habits
1. Going to bed at different times
2. Watching screens in bed
3. Eating too much before bed
4. Falling asleep with the TV on
5. Stay up all night
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Dr. Chris Winter, a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Mattress Firm in Houston, Texas, said inconsistent schedules rightfully rank at the top of the list.
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“There's a growing body of research showing that even when sleep quality is good and sleep quantity is adequate, inconsistent sleep schedules can lead to a wide range of negative health consequences: heart disease, weight gain, cognitive decline and even cancer,” Winter, who was also not involved in the survey, told Fox News Digital.
Nearly 90% of adults and 75% of children keep at least one electronic device in their bedrooms, according to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The screen time problem is easily solved, she noted: “Just leave your phone in the kitchen.”
Nearly 90% of adults and 75% of children keep at least one electronic device in their bedrooms, according to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).
“Lack of uniformity in sleep schedule can have very negative consequences for health.”
According to Winter, staying up all night deserves to be higher on the list.
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“It's a terrible situation from a sleep, health and safety standpoint,” he said.
The general recommendation is for adults ages 18 to 64 to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night, according to the NSF.
