Are you Sleep-Deprived?

Sleep is one of my favorite things to do but I don't get much sleep as I would like. The article, many US workers sleep-deprived: CDC Transportation workers among those getting the least shuteye, researchers say by Stephen Reinberg explores the dangerous of lack of sleep among many Americans.

According to the The National Sleep Foundation, it recommends that adults sleep between seven to nine hours a night. Unfortunately about 44 percent of night shift workers get too little sleep, compared to about 29 percent of people working the day shift. Also, certain industries seem to lack more sleep. The study states that nearly 70 percent of those working night shifts in transportation and warehousing are sleep-deprived.

"Working nights and sleeping during the day, in particular, disrupts the natural sleep cycle, called circadian rhythm, Luckhaupt said.Workers who don't get enough sleep are more likely to get injured on the job and make mistakes that could injure them and their co-workers, according to the report. Over time, insufficient sleep can also affect overall health, resulting in cardiovascular problems, obesity, diabetes and depression" (Reinberg, S.)

When I read this, I thought about my father who is a former truck driver. I always knew he had a tough job but nver to this extent. I can definitely see the correlation of certain jobs and lack of sleep such as  truckers. It is so important they get enough sleep because they have to drive for so many hours throughout the day. I can see where if someone does not get enough sleep, they can easily get into an accident while driving. When I was younger I asked my dad about his sleep habit because of work and he had explained to me that sleep was important for his job which is why he had a bed in the truck and was required to log his nuumber of hours of sleep for work regulations.

Research and studies like these consequences for lack of sleep. I think it's important to jeep this in mind when we are working so hard, especuially as college studnts. Nevertheless, I undestand how hard it can be to actually get seven to nine hours of sleep on a daily basis. I care about my sleep that I have sacrificed most of my social life while at school because there isn't simply enough hours in a day to get everything done.