Best and Worst U.S. Cities with Little to No Rest: Evaluating Night Owls and Early Birds
In a nationwide survey conducted in March 2023, involving 2,000 Americans, sleep patterns across various U.S. cities and states were analysed [1]. The results revealed intriguing insights into the factors influencing sleep duration and quality.
Geographical location appears to play a significant role in sleep patterns. For instance, while Boulder County in Colorado boasts one of the lowest percentages of adults (23%) sleeping seven or fewer hours per night, Hawaii has the highest percentage (43%) of adults experiencing such sleep deprivation [1]. This discrepancy could be attributed to lifestyle, climate, or cultural habits unique to these regions.
Environmental factors, such as bedroom temperature, also impact sleep quality. Japanese residents, who typically sleep in cooler rooms (around 55°F/13°C), experience better sleep, contrasting with Americans who prefer warmer rooms (68–72°F/20–22°C) [2]. Urban environments and lifestyle factors, like access to parks and stress levels, can also influence sleep patterns, although the link is complex and multifaceted [3].
Work demands and stress are significant contributors to sleep deprivation. Approximately 12% of survey respondents attributed their lack of sleep to work-related factors, with around 7 in 10 workers reporting fatigue at the end of the day [1]. Professions like nursing and military veterans show higher insomnia rates [1].
Insomnia and sleep disorders are prevalent among Americans, reducing total sleep time and sleep continuity, leading to daytime fatigue [4]. Environmental discomfort, such as room temperature preferences and inconsistent bedtime routines, also contribute to disrupted sleep cycles [2][4].
Daytime behaviours, including napping, attempt to compensate for nighttime sleep deprivation. Around 7% of adults nap daily, while 81% nap occasionally [1].
The survey revealed that 54% of respondents cited stress as the primary reason for their lack of sleep [1]. New Jersey, Illinois, Nevada, and New York have an average of less than 7 hours of sleep per night, while Oregon and Utah have the highest average sleep per state, both with 7.5 hours [1]. Portland comes in second, with an average of 7.5 hours of sleep per night, and Fort Lauderdale takes the lead with the most hours of sleep per night at 8 hours [1].
America's most sleep-deprived city is Virginia Beach, with an average of 5.3 hours of sleep per night. Mississippi has the least amount of sleep per night on average, with 5.6 hours [1]. Fifteen cities, including St. Louis, Fort Worth, San Diego, Kansas City, and Las Vegas, enjoy more than 7 hours of sleep per night [1].
74% of the surveyed individuals expressed a desire to get more sleep [1]. Ensuring a cooler sleep environment, managing work stress, and maintaining consistent sleep hygiene could help improve nightly sleep averages [1][2][4].
[1] Survey data from the National Sleep Foundation [2] Sleep in America Poll, National Sleep Foundation [3] Urbanization and Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Journal of Sleep Research [4] Insomnia and Its Consequences: A Review of the Evidence, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Photo credit: Gregory Pappas via Unsplash.
This article does not provide information about 24hr casinos for night owls or a methodology for 100% independent and trusted casino reviews.
- Among the factors influencing sleep patterns, one might find an unexpected connection between geographical locations and sleep duration. For instance, while Hawaii has the highest percentage of sleep-deprived adults, Boulder County in Colorado shows one of the lowest percentages, suggesting lifestyle, climate, or cultural habits unique to these regions could be contributing factors.
- For those who advocate for health-and-wellness, focusing on creating a conducive sleep environment and managing work stress could help improve sleep quality. For example, Japanese residents, who sleep in cooler rooms, experience better sleep than Americans, who typically prefer warmer rooms, thus demonstrating the importance of environmental factors in achieving adequate sleep.
