Searching for sleep: Massachusetts ranks fourth among most sleep-deprived states, study finds
Are you Googling how to get more sleep? You’re not alone.
Massachusetts ranks fourth in the nation among the most sleep-deprived states, according to a study by “sleep experts” at Amerisleep, an online mattress store.
The company says it used Google Keyword Planner to compile a list of 96 terms relating to sleep disorders and how to get to sleep, then analyzed them and calculated the average monthly search volume per 100,000 residents in each state over the last year.
California residents top the list of sleep-deprived states with an average of 805 average monthly searches per 100,000 residents for terms relating to sleep and problems sleeping, including “sleep apnea” and “insomnia treatment,” the study found.
Maryland and New York ranked second and third on the list, followed by Massachusetts, with an average of 754 monthly searches for sleep-related terms per 100,000 residents. The most searched terms by Bay State residents were “insomnia,” with an average of 10,131 searches per month, and “sleep apnea symptoms”, with 1,798 average monthly searches.
In Maryland, which ranked second on the list, the most searched terms were “sleep deprivation symptoms” and “sleep aids,” with an average of 863 searches per month.
In New York, a state housing Manhattan, known informally as the city that never sleeps, one of the most searched terms was “sleep music” with 5,098 average searches per month, closely followed by “sleep meditation” with an average of 4,645 monthly searches.
In Georgia, which ranked sixth, the most searched term was “sleep paralysis” with an average of 10,227 monthly searches.
In Texas, which ranked ninth with an average of 725 monthly searches per 100,000 residents, two of the most searched terms were “sleep deprivation” with 7,902 average searches per month, and “sleep apnea symptoms” with 7,185 average monthly searches.
Around 9% to 17% of American adults don’t get enough sleep, according to research from the National Institutes of Health.
“A good night’s sleep is vital for our bodies to repair and maintain themselves. Sleep disorders have become more common in modern times due to lifestyle changes such as work schedules, technology, and even overall health,” Amerisleep said in a statement Monday.
“According to the CDC, around a third of adults in the U.S. reported that they get less than the recommended amount of sleep – between seven to nine hours per night,” the company said. “The study illustrates that people are searching for causes or symptoms of various sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, and insomnia, all of which have lifestyle changes as root causes.”
If you want to get some shuteye, the company recommends putting away your phone and also cutting back on coffee.
“Cell phones, caffeine consumption, and other stimulants and depressants can all affect the quality and amount of sleep we get, so it is important to ensure that these factors are eliminated or reduced late at night,” Amerisleep said in its statement.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
