95% Of Americans Get Less Than 8 Hours Of Sleep

STUDIO CITY (CBS) — Always hitting the snooze button? Pete Bils of the Better Sleep Council knows why!

Bils visited the KCAL 9 studios Thursday and talked about the sleep we aren't getting!

There are some really interested trends on how much sleep the U.S. workforce is getting or not getting. And how different types of workers (e.g. blue collar vs. white collar) compare to each other in terms of hours of sleep.
Survey of more than 1,300 blue and white collar workers showed:

- 95 percent of Americans are getting less than 8 hours of sleep

- 40 percent of "manual labor workers" are getting fewer than 6 hours, compared with 29 percent of office worker counterparts

- 25 percent of workers admit to falling asleep on the job

- Nearly 20 percent have called in sick because they are too tired to work

The side effects of inefficient sleep, especially at work, are many including decreased productivity, diminished motivation, mistakes, high stress levels, and absenteeism.

For the stressed American workforce, some of the keys to getting a better night's sleep include:

- Maintain a "screen-free zone" in the bedroom. Working on the computer or watching television stimulates the brain and may make it difficult to fall asleep.
- Minimize light. Darkness acts as a signal to the body to prepare for sleep. When trying to sleep, keep blinds closed. If that isn't enough, consider room-darkening shades or drapes.
- Keep noise levels constant. Abrupt changes in noise levels can disrupt sleep. For light sleepers or those who live in high-traffic areas, consider using a white-noise machine to muffle sounds.
- Choose bedding that fits the needs of both sleep partners. Skip the one-size-fits-all approach. Sleep can be personalized. Mattresses and bedding accessories that fit each sleep partner's preferred sleeping positions, like those from Sleep Number, can drastically improve quality and quantity of sleep.
- Keep a regular schedule. Try to avoid switching bed times and wake times on the weekend; it will make the Monday back-to-work adjustment extremely tough.
Maintain a bedtime routine. A brief pre-bed routine signals to the body it's time to unwind. Choose simple, stress-free activities such reading a book, brushing teeth or doing a few stretches.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol prior to bedtime. Afternoon beverages should be caffeine-free to avoid interference with sleep. While alcohol may help people feel sleepy, their sleep tends to be more fragmented and less rejuvenating overall.

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