Tips & Trends

Why Can’t Southerners Sleep at Night?

April 14, 2012 by
Sleepless in the South
Sleepless in the South

Sleepless in the South

A recent study by The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine indicates that people in the South seem to be prone to sleeplessness, with Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia ranked as the very worst states in the country for sleep.

So what makes these states different from the rest? Well, according to Fox Business News, “Three of the states have the absolute highest obesity rates in the country, and the other three are in the top 12.”

In addition, the study found that, “All six states with the worst sleep are also among the top 11 states with the highest smoking rates among adults.” Smoking is known to have many health risks, and one of these is an increased risk of significant sleep disturbances due to the stimulating effects of nicotine and the “mild withdrawal” smokers’ bodies go through during the night.

Healthy lifestyles are a work in progress all across the United States, and these states are no exception, with programs such as the West Virginia Office of Healthy Lifestyles, the nonprofit Alabama Action for Healthy Kids program, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, The University of Missouri Healthy Lifestyle Initiative, Motivating Mississippi, and a new law in Oklahoma that may open up the use of “gyms, playgrounds, tracks and athletic fields” at neighborhood schools “for public use as part of a new law to promote more active lifestyles for Oklahomans.”

We hope all these initiatives towards healthier lifestyles help them get a little more shut-eye at night in addition to all the other health benefits to be had! While we like to think that a cuddly, cozy bed stocked with fluffy pillows, soft sheets, and a nice down comforter is all you need for a good night’s sleep, sadly it is not always enough! Still, a comfortable bed seems like a great incentive to stay in bed longer – and based on these articles, it seems that perhaps prioritizing sleep is a good first step to take towards a healthier lifestyle.

What do you think? Feel free to comment below and share your thoughts!

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