Sleepless In America: The Hazards of Being Tired

If you’re like the average American adult, chances are that you sleep a lot less than you would like to. The majority of our nation’s adult population reports feeling regularly sleepy as they go about their day-to-day activities, but what most people don’t realize is that not sleeping enough impacts public health and safety in some huge ways. No one really knows why we’re sleeping less, but failing to get the full amount of sleep you need can contribute to serious issues like obesity, heart disease, and risk of stroke. A lack of sleep can even have unexpected impacts on your sex life, increase your appetite, and up your calorie intake.

The risks of not sleeping enough even extend beyond personal health: Sleepy people are causing dangers behind the wheel and costing money in the workplace. Chances are, you really do want to sleep more than you do, but sometimes getting the proper sleep is tough to squeeze into a busy schedule. So what can you do to make sure you sleep a little easier? The following infographic examines the ways that people are being impacted by a lack of sleep, as well as what you can do to make sure that you’re getting the shut-eye you need to live happier and healthier.