Over one third of U.S. adults don't get enough sleep. Are you one of those adults? Learn more about your risk and what you can do to get more sleep in this week's healthy tip!

Sleep is an important part of good health. Adults aged 18 to 60 years should sleep at least 7 hours each night for the best health and wellness. Sleeping less than 7 hours per night is linked to having a higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.

Who is at risk for not getting enough sleep?

Everyone is at risk for not getting enough sleep, but the risk is higher for people who work a shift outside normal daylight hours, such as night shift, evening shift, or rotating shift. This kind of shift is more common for the following jobs:

• Medical professionals (doctors and nurses)
• Emergency response workers
• Transportation industry workers (truck drivers)
• Workers in the manufacturing, hospitality, or retail industries

How can you get healthy sleep?

Here are some habits that can improve your sleep health:

• Have a regular schedule for sleep. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends.
• Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature. Noise and light-blocking curtains can help make your room quieter and darker.
• Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones, from the bedroom.
• Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime. 
• Avoid tobacco and nicotine.
• Get some exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

To learn more about getting enough sleep, visit the Centers for Disease Control website.