Report: Connecticut Residents Not Getting Enough Sleep

Along with the rest of the U.S., Connecticut residents are not getting enough sleep.

Connecticut ranked 24th in insufficient sleep, according to the America's Health Ranking report from the United Healthcare Foundation. The report found 32% of people living in the state getting less than 7 hours of sleep, the same percentage as in the rest of the nation.

While this is a decline from previous years, experts note there are ways people can get more sleep.

Dr. Ravi Johar, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare, said a routine before bed can help people sleep easier.

"That's something that's really important, just having a routine," Johar recommended. "Whether it's brushing your teeth, changing into pajamas, doing some kind of activity before you go to sleep, yoga, listening to music, reading, things of that sort, setting your alarm for the same time every day."

Johar also advised people to avoid eating large meals before bed, since they can cause restless-sleep problems. He added adults ages 18 to 60 need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. People ages 61-64 need around 7 or 8 hours of sleep per night, and people 65 and older need about 7 hours of sleep.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted not getting enough sleep is linked with a series of chronic illnesses and conditions. Some include depression, heart disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Johar added if a person is experiencing chronic sleep issues, they should consult their physician.

"Sometimes there may be underlying medical problems that are making it difficult for you to sleep," Johar pointed out. "And the other thing that's really important that people don't realize is how much stress and behavioral health issues can factor into their sleep."

Insufficient sleep can also lead to impaired motor vehicle skills. According to a 2020 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving caused 633 deaths across the country. Along with this, poor sleep can contribute to poor job performance.

This story written and reported by Edwin J. Viera of the Connecticut News Service, a statewide news service for Connecticut.