How Many Hours of Sleep For Average American?

Most Americans who are polled on their sleeping habits would likely say they average around 8-9 hours each night, according to a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet another new study conducted by this institution shows otherwise: an estimated 6.38 hours each night on average for adults across America!

Americans aged 65 or above tend to get more rest than is recommended; young adults and parents of young children tend to get less than required sleep.

1. Sleep on your back

Back sleeping positions are widely considered the healthiest because they allow your spine to remain in alignment while relieving joint pressure and alleviating snoring. Unfortunately, some individuals find it challenging to fall asleep on their back; they may wake several times during the night or have trouble returning back to sleep again. Furthermore, breathing can become restricted when lying flat on one’s back.

Experts typically recommend adults receive seven to nine hours of restful sleep each night, yet according to a recent Gallup poll only 59% of Americans meet this standard compared to 84% back in 1942.

Many Americans fall short on getting enough restful rest, which can have serious health repercussions, including reduced immune response, feelings of depression, weight gain and increased risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. If you find yourself constantly tired it could wreak havoc with both work and social life – not to mention traffic accidents! That is why having an effective bedtime routine and sticking to it are so crucial.

2. Sleep on your side

Many Americans struggle to get enough sleep, with young adults facing even greater challenges than other age groups. More Millennials (35%), Gen Xers (29%) and Boomers (19%) report not receiving sufficient rest at night than any other group – and they also tend to feel more overwhelmed due to a lack of restful slumber than other age groups.

Sleep can make all the difference to how we feel, our mood, and overall health. So it is essential that we establish and stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up routine, limit caffeine and alcohol intake, and avoid eating heavy meals in the evening.

The average American sleeps about 6.8 hours each night – well short of what’s recommended and significantly fewer hours than they did in 1942. Furthermore, more than half of all Americans report feeling sleepy throughout the day – this poses a major health concern as adequate rest is associated with better health outcomes such as decreased risks for obesity/weight gain/depression/heart disease as well as better attention, learning behavior/emotions and productivity/mental sharpness.

3. Sleep on your stomach

Sleeping on one’s stomach may not be ideal, but it can be particularly effective for people experiencing snoring problems. According to The Sleep Foundation, this position helps relieve snoring by keeping airways clear. Furthermore, this position keeps spine from misalignment which could cause back and neck discomfort.

American adults today, on average, sleep 6.8 hours each night – far below the minimum recommended duration of seven. This marks a dramatic change since 1942 when most Americans reported getting at least six hours.

Young adults and parents of children under 18 years old are among those most in need of restful nights, while seniors report more restful nights than any other demographic group. Lower-income Americans experience less satisfying nights, and women get five to 28 minutes longer sleep duration than men on average; overall, since 1985 the percentage of US adults reporting having healthy sleep duration has seen a considerable drop, though no substantial change over recent decades.

4. Sleep on your side with your legs stretched

Though successful individuals may sleep more than average Americans, most of us could benefit from getting some additional restful hours each night. Lack of rest can have serious repercussions for our bodies: from decreased focus and concentration levels to compromised immunity systems and heart conditions.

What makes sleep such an essential aspect of our lives? A recent Gallup poll demonstrates its significance; showing that most Americans don’t get enough restful restful slumber.

According to a report released by Sleep Tracker International, adults between the ages of 18-50 are only getting six or seven hours of rest each night, which falls far short of what is recommended by experts. Individuals who get inadequate rest are more likely to feel exhausted and stressed during the day which could impact both work performance as well as relationships with family and friends. But there are steps we can take to increase quality sleep; one such measure would include changing our sleeping positions at night.

5. Sleep on your stomach with a pillow under your head

Stomach sleepers (also referred to as prone or fetal sleepers) typically lay flat on their stomachs when sleeping, which can be extremely harmful to your neck. Therefore, investing in a mattress designed specifically to support both back and neck should also be prioritized for these individuals as well as purchasing pillows that offer enough head support and spine alignment without twisting your neck during restful slumber.

An important caveat of BLS estimates is that they include time spent napping, which can add up to more than the 7.5 hours per night reported by Gallup polling. Even so, the survey shows that Americans are sleeping much less than necessary.

Young adults face difficulty sleeping adequately, with only half reporting seven or more hours each night. Parents of small children and lower-income Americans are particularly at risk due to limited financial resources or lifestyle choices which lead to fatigue.