A new report reveals that nearly 90% of American adults aren’t making it through the night without waking up—a troubling sign as sleep problems continue to affect millions across the country.
According to a national survey published by US News in March, an overwhelming 89% of respondents said they regularly wake up during the night. While some experience this nightly, others reported that it happens often enough to disrupt rest. Only a small minority say they consistently sleep through the night without interruption.
The National Institutes of Health recommends between seven and nine hours of sleep for adults. However, the survey found that 58% of Americans are only getting six to seven hours per night, falling short of that recommendation. Another 20% admitted to getting just four to five hours of rest. The struggle to stay asleep is so widespread that 25% of people now turn to prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids to get some rest.
Dr. Wendy Troxel, a behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation and licensed clinical psychologist, offered insight into why so many people are tossing and turning. She pointed to rising stress levels in today’s world as a major contributor to sleep trouble. Financial concerns, political uncertainty, and health-related anxieties have all taken a toll on the country’s ability to rest.
But stress isn’t the only issue. Troxel noted that physical health problems such as chronic pain, sleep apnea, and insomnia can also break up sleep throughout the night. Environmental issues are playing a role as well.
With global temperatures rising, more Americans are exposed to heat at night that interferes with the body’s natural cooling process. This cooling is part of the body’s circadian rhythm, which helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. When the body’s temperature can’t drop as needed, restful sleep becomes harder to achieve.
Experts recommend keeping the bedroom temperature between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit to help support deeper sleep. Breathable bedding, lightweight pajamas, and cooling mattresses or pads can make a difference, especially during warmer months. Using fans or air conditioning may also help maintain a steady environment that supports uninterrupted rest.
Hormonal changes can also be a major factor, particularly for women. Troxel noted that around 60% of women experience sleep problems during menopause. Fluctuations in hormones at that stage of life can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature, causing frequent wakeups and restless nights.
For those who find themselves awake in the middle of the night, Troxel suggested a simple approach: get out of bed. Doing something calming like reading or stretching can help break the cycle of frustration and anxiety that builds from lying awake for too long. Staring at the clock in the middle of the night only adds to the stress, she said, and can make it even harder to fall back asleep.
Building better habits around sleep may take time, but the problem is clearly widespread. With nearly nine out of ten Americans experiencing nighttime disruptions, sleep issues are no longer just a personal health matter—they’ve become a national concern.