CDC declares sleep deprivation a health crisis

January 2, 2019

It’s official. The CDC has declared sleep deprivation a public health crisis.

One-third of U.S. adults don’t get enough sleep and 80 percent of people report sleep problems at least once per week. That results in 1.23 million lost days of work per year and $400 billion in economic losses annually.

“You also have other factors that are associated with diabetes, such as sleep apnea and very poor sleep quality, ” Ryan Sanders, RD at Shands Hospital at UF Health told Ivanhoe.

So, what can you do to improve your sleep?

First, figure out how much sleep you really need. Track your sleep with apps like Sleepcycle or Sleepscore. Next, keep a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, including the weekends. And finally, power down. A Harvard study found that the blue light from devices suppresses melatonin making it harder to fall asleep. So, put them out of sight for a good night’s rest.

Another tip: alcohol may make you sleepy at first, but after its effects wears off, you are more likely to wake up more often during the night.