Are you getting enough sleep?
Nearly 40 percent of Pennsylvanians are getting fewer than six hours a night, according to the state Department of Health.
That’s not enough- officials say- and can have an impact on your mental and physical health, safety and quality of life.
“Getting the right amount of sleep is essential in keeping your body and mind in top physical condition,” Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Proper sleep helps to improve learning, heals our body and can help you function well throughout the day.”
Studies have demonstrated there is an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke and high blood pressure associated with sleep deprivation, and also an increase in accidents.
It is recommended by the National Institute of Health (NIH) that adults get 7-8 hours of sleep a day. However, 38 percent of Pennsylvania adults reported averaging six or fewer hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
Sleep is also essential for children and teens, officials say, and plays an integral part in allowing them to be alert and learn. It is recommended by the NIH that children ages 6-12 get 9-12 hours of sleep a day, and teens ages 13-18 get 8-10 hours a day.
Officials with the National Institute of Health say you can’t make up for lost sleep, even if you nap.
