One-Third Of U.S. Workers Aren't Getting Enough Sleep: Study

Despite the recommendation that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, a new study shows that about a third of us aren't hitting those goals.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey on sleep habits of U.S. workers. They found that 30 percent of people in the study -- which calculates to about 40.6 million workers in the U.S. -- get fewer than six hours of sleep a night. Their research was published in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The study of 15,214 people also shed light on what kinds of jobs are linked with less sleep. The researchers found that people who work in manufacturing get less sleep than other workers, with 34.1 percent of them reporting getting less than six hours of sleep a night.

In addition, people who work the night shift were more likely to report getting inadequate sleep (44 percent), compared with those working during the day (28.8 percent).

Among people who worked the night shift, certain industries had high prevalences of inadequate sleep, including 69.7 percent of warehouse and transportation workers and 52.3 percent of health-care and social assistance workers, according to the report.

The researchers also found that people between ages 30 and 64 were more likely to report not getting enough sleep, compared with workers between ages 18 and 29 and workers age 65 and older.

People who work more than one job are also more likely to not get enough sleep during the night, compared with people who just have one job -- 37 percent versus 29.4 percent. People who work more than 40 hours a week are also less likely to get enough sleep per night, compared with those who work a 40-or-under week.

Sleep deprivation is dangerous because it raises the risk of a whole host of health problems. Studies have linked inadequate rest with depression, a decreased immune system and memory issues, WebMD reported. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to obesity, high blood pressure and daytime fatigue, which could present safety issues on the job, Harvard Medical School reported.

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Earlier this year, the Sleepy's mattress company released a study based on CDC data, ranking the most well-rested and the most sleep-deprived jobs. Click through the slideshow to see what made the list:

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Comments

[Soror4512]

05:51 PM on 04/29/2012

May sound silly, but I wish everyone was rich so all could get more sleep.

[simzillyjp]

04:06 PM on 04/29/2012

Not enough sleep? Tell that to any employer & a good laugh you'll get. (at least you get a response by them laughing) Employers do not care if you sleep.

[rosemaree124]

02:47 PM on 04/29/2012

This is new information????????????????????????????????????

[jason barker]

02:15 PM on 04/29/2012

Truck Driver team Truck driver must not b a real job ?????????????????????

[Ken Ashcraft]

12:57 PM on 04/29/2012

i dont doubt it...with so many working 2 and 3 jobs just to make ends meet

[okyworm]

10:17 AM on 04/29/2012

I get a little 15 min nap everyday at lucnh and it is a major recharge of the batteries. I have been on a 5 to 6 sleep regime all my adult life. I also feel better and sleep better if Ive had a very active day either at home or work. Of course my active day at work is one heck of alot more than anyone behind a desk. Over 1/3 of the adult work force is pretty much desk bound or contained with little physical movement. Im sorry but 30 min on a treadmill and 15 min lifting weights isnt much activity considering what the human body is capable of doing. Work hard, work long, and sleep well.

[bikefolder32]

02:46 AM on 04/29/2012

It isn't just jobs that cause lack of sleep - there's a frightening number of people out there with undiagnosed sleep apnea or medical conditions that limit their ability to stay asleep, so they're only getting 2 hours, then awake, then 45 minutes, then awake, and continues in a cycle until it's time to be getting ready for the day.

[sjaent2001]

02:33 AM on 04/29/2012

For sleep sake --- Part II

The second is that sleep is like alignment of body and soul to get relaxed and nourished. Previously, also scientifically it was proven that most of the growth of the young ones take place during their sleep. I read also that at the time of going to sleep just before going to bed take a brief review of the day, relax and deep breaths and then as you lie down thank for your blessings and ask for favor of your Creator that he has prescribed sleep for recoupment, so HE help you and when the mind is relaxed you fall sleep fast and find quite refreshing when you get up that you have done your part and the rest was with the sould and body to help each other to get ready to face the next day. Those who work in nights can also try when they go to sleep during the day.
Sometimes, science gives diagnose the prblems for you good, but sometimes, the solutions may be simple but we do not see the rationality in the recommended procedures for this alignment of soul and body. Some will laugh, some will ridicule, and some will say foolish, but when nothing else works we have to see what is good in anything that works and is free and in our own grasp.
So God help all of US from the consequences of sleep deprivation.

[sjaent2001]

02:32 AM on 04/29/2012

1-----""Sleep deprivation is dangerous because it raises the risk of a whole host of health problems."""
2-----Studies have linked inadequate rest with depression, a decreased immune system and memory issues, WebMD reported.
3----- Sleep deprivation has also been linked to obesity, high blood pressure and daytime fatigue, which could present safety issues on the job, Harvard Medical School reported.

These are the results of scientific findings and they point out very specific outcomes because of deprivation of sleep. What else could help alleviate sleep deprivation consequences. We are so stressed out and go to bed so tense that we have the worry of getting up and then catch up the new day.

I read in the 80's there was a study and it said that if during noon time we try to have a nap of only upto ten minutes that helps restores the natural clock in our body to restore the energy levels. The method prescribed was that you take a pencil in your finger tip and the thump and take deep breaths and relax and as soon the pencil falls off your grasp you had satisfied the natural setting of body routine. Some will laugh at this but there is some religious teachings also in one religion and people follow it for their health and body's sake.

For Health's Sake continued in part II

[Razpooten]

02:27 AM on 04/29/2012

I woke up this morning after about five hours of sleep full of energy and eager to go run a couple of miles and 20 minutes of calisthenics, but I went back to bed until the feeling subsided.

[Razpooten]

02:22 AM on 04/29/2012

One third of US workers don't get enough sleep, unless they are night watchman.

[Ken Ashcraft]

01:09 PM on 04/29/2012

or congressmen

[Razpooten]

01:24 PM on 04/29/2012

Well, they do that during regular datime working hours.

[devinegirls3]

11:47 PM on 04/28/2012

I have been "doctoring" for sleep issues for maybe a year now...and personally I haven't gotten any better. I have had my apnea machine taken back from my health insurance due to not using it enough hours at night. - but my insomnia caused by apnea is so bad that I am up roaming my house and most night don't get back to bed every time I get up and end up asleep in a chair etc. I am falling asleep behind the wheel...I have my DR. giving me a med.that keeps me awake-not sure the name- fighting the insur. company right now for it. It should be the easiest thing you ever do....and I can't even do that-SUCKS!

[LisaCACO]

05:33 PM on 04/28/2012

six hours of sleep isn't enough. most people truly need 7-8. they manage to "get by" on 6. often my husband gets less than 6, which I just find frightening. I blame his workplace for working him nearly to death. you can't "downsize" endlessly and get more "productivity" out of each worker without something giving. it's the workers' sleep and home life that suffers. don't worry, though, I'm sure they feel there are plenty more workers where he came from...

[lori279187]

10:36 AM on 04/29/2012

"I'm sure they feel there are plenty more workers where he came from... "

They don't care about your health unless something happens to you at work and it effects their work/comp. Your last sentence (above) says it all.

[victorzeller]

01:21 PM on 04/28/2012

Great, now something else for the incompetent lazy union workers to blame.

[jimdavis11]

09:31 AM on 04/29/2012

I dare you to make a statement like that in a local bar!

[krvball24]

10:06 AM on 04/29/2012

Do you know how much in your life is provided by those 'lazy union workers'? Fine, you don't want it, then stop using your indoor plumbing since the pipes, sinks, and toilets were made by union factory workers. Then a union pipefitter put all that stuff in your house. Also stop driving your car or taking the bus. I'm sure the AWU will surely be devastated by your choice. Stop buying food from your local market and stores as most of it was likely delivered by Teamsters. Don't buy anything online, because FedEx and UPS are union, too. If you want to be ungrateful for all that the union workers provide, then go hang out with Scott Walker in Wisconsin...but don't think about having A/C this summer or heat this winter...union workers provide that too. And I'm not sure how you're going to read this without the internet, since you'll have to stop using the wiring in your house for electricity since it was all placed, inspected and approved by the Electrical Workers Union.

[jimdavis11]

10:36 AM on 04/29/2012

It's obvious victorzeller is a huge fan of Rush and Fox news. Poor fool!

[BigBearcatBill]

08:08 AM on 04/28/2012

That is a set up for worsening a major epidemic or pandemic if one of those flus or SARS, etc. come back due to weaker immune systems. Note you start sneezing and coughing and feeling weaker when not getting enough sleep. Don't sleep, eat right and get some exercise routinely then you are set up for problems. Lay off the video games and TV some, get some exercise like a long walk or jog, etc. and that will help you get some sleep.