Sleep Deprivation Statistics
Summary of sleep deprivation statistics from reputable sources.
People are suffering from sleep deprivation more and more each year. Some people will tell you outright that they just don’t have the time to sleep. There are literally people around the world that think that they are managing to successfully get by on just a few hours of sleep per night.
The key there is that they think that they are just a little fatigued but there is a lot more going on than just a bit of fatigue. The statistics for people that are not getting nearly enough sleep is mind boggling.
- Sleep problems are reaching epidemic proportions, estimated to be the #1 health related problem in America - (CNN, May 1997.)
- Sleep deprivation costs $150 billion each year in higher stress and reduced worker productivity-(National Commission on Sleep Disorders, 2003.)
- Almost all adults don’t get enough sleep and most struggle to get up in the morning. “If we got enough sleep at night we wouldn’t need an alarm clock to wake us.” (Mayo Clinic).
- Recent studies implicate sleep deprivation in diabetes.
- We sleep on average 6.9 hours/day, almost an hour less than a few decades ago.
- Parents of young children lose an extra hour of sleep each night. (NSF 2004.)
- Childhood sleeplessness is a high risk factor for adolescent alcohol and drug abuse-children with sleep problems are twice as likely to abuse drugs when teenagers. (Univ. of Mich. April 2004 sleep study.)
- 43 percent of respondents reported that daytime sleepiness interfered with their normal daytime activities, including work. (NSF 2000.)
- 30-40% of heavy truck accidents are due to driver fatigue. National Sleep Foundation, 2002 Annual Sleep Survey.
- Almost 74% of all Americans do not get enough sleep each night.
- Most will feel sleepy or groggy during the week.
- 51% of adults say they have problems sleeping at least a few nights each week.
- Almost 1/3 has trouble sleeping every night.
- Half of all Americans can not get up without an alarm clock.
- Alarm clocks interrupt sleep cycle causing, lack of energy, feeling not refreshed in the morning.
- Those with sleep problems are twice as likely to feel stressed and tired.
These statistics frighten me. The 2002 National Sleep Awareness Week this year emphasizes dangers such as drowsy driving, stress, anger and road rage. But the dangers of sleep deprivation go far beyond these visible risks.
Sleep deprivation can, in fact, undermine all areas of your physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system leaving us more susceptible to other diseases and disorders like diabetes, cancer and even the common cold. It is not uncommon for people who suffer from sleep deprivation due to sleep disorders - sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, etc. - to also suffer from other problems including diabetes, asthma or a second sleep disorder.
Sleep deprivation also causes much stress and, again, stress weakens our immune system - a double whammy. And both of these things sleep deprivation and stress; can upset your mental processes. You may suffer from confusion, memory loss, irritability or emotional highs and lows. If you already have a mental disorder, sleep deprivation only adds to the problem.