thensf, Author at National Sleep Foundation

The Journal Marks a Decade of Advancing Sleep Health Research

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@thensf.org

Washington, D.C. (March 31, 2025) — The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) proudly celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship journal, Sleep Health^®, a vital publication dedicated to exploring sleep’s role in population health and the social sciences perspective on sleep and health. In 2016, Sleep Health won the PROSE Award for Best New Journal in Science, Technology and Medicine from the Association of American Publishers.

Sleep Health features peer-reviewed research that promotes evidence-based practices aimed at improving sleep health for people of all ages and backgrounds. The journal has been instrumental in highlighting the connection between sleep and various health issues, including cognitive decline, immune function and mental health conditions. It has also played a key role in publishing research that informs global efforts towards sleep health equity.

Sleep Health’s robust, interdisciplinary approach has provided vital knowledge and grown the body of evidence for researchers, public health advocates, and clinicians through an increasingly international lens.

“The journal’s 10th anniversary is a milestone for the National Sleep Foundation and for the global sleep health community. Sleep Health has had a significant impact on expanding our understanding of sleep at the population level and its importance to overall health,” said John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “We want to recognize the contributions of everyone along the way who has made the journal’s achievements possible.”

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a productive and engaged community of editors, authors, and researchers. As I step back into my role as an author, reviewer, and reader, I look forward to the journal’s continued growth over the next ten years and beyond,” said Orfeu Buxton, Sleep Health Editor-in-Chief. “I know that the journal will remain committed to its mission of improving sleep health for all and ensuring that sleep is recognized as an essential pillar of health and overall well-being.”

For more information about Sleep Health visit: www.SleepHealthJournal.org. Register today for an upcoming webinar on April 3 featuring the past, present, and future Editors-in-Chief of Sleep Health as they discuss building a journal from scratch and nurturing a community committed to publishing excellent research amid challenging circumstances.

About the National Sleep Foundation

There’s only one National Sleep Foundation (NSF). NSF is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. In its 35 years, NSF has promoted sleep health through expert recommendations, consensus guidelines, tech standards, and easy-to-use tips and tools to improve sleep. For more information about NSF, visit www.theNSF.org │ SleepHealthJournal.org

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@thensf.org

Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2025) — Congresswoman Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, introduced House Resolution 235 in the U.S. House of Representatives with cosigners Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida. The Resolution recognizes the importance of sleep health and supports the designation of ‘‘Sleep Awareness Week”.

Each year, National Sleep Foundation (NSF) independently produces Sleep Awareness Week^®as the premier campaign for sleep health. During Sleep Awareness Week, NSF highlights evidence-based and consensus-driven best practices for sleep health that include expert guidance and practical tips to help people get the quality sleep they need. During the week, NSF also releases results from its annual Sleep in America^® Poll, which reflects the public’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors about a sleep-related topic.

“The National Sleep Foundation applauds Congress for recognizing Sleep Awareness Week and the importance of sleep for the health and performance of all Americans,” said John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “This is the 27^th year NSF has produced Sleep Awareness Week,” added Lopos. “We are committed to helping everyday people prioritize sleep as part of their lifestyle so anyone and everyone can be their Best Slept Self®.”

“Sleep is critical for our health — yet, too often, we do not get enough quality sleep,” Rep. Deansaid. “Sleep Awareness Week is a time to educate one another on the benefits of sleep for our physical and mental well-being. I’m grateful to the National Sleep Foundation for its excellent advocacy and longstanding commitment to educating the public on this issue.”

For more information about the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week^® campaign and activities, visit: Sleep Awareness Week.

About the National Sleep Foundation

Find out how exercise can help kickstart your Best Slept Self^®

It’s no secret that exercise has widespread health benefits. It improves your mental and physical health and keeps you focused and energized during the day. It also does wonders for the quality of your sleep by promoting restorative sleep.

Even knowing all the great benefits that exercise provides, it can be hard to get started and to find the time to make it part of your daily routine. Read on for tips to help get you moving in the right direction.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND EXERCISE AND SLEEP

Physical activity promotes better sleep because it helps regulate your circadian rhythm—your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

But according to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2022 Sleep in America^® Poll, a lot of us aren’t feeling the positive effects that moderate to vigorous physical activity can have on our sleep health.

Nearly all Americans surveyed reported engaging in some sort of light activity, such as slow walks or household chores, but higher intensity activity was less common. In fact, 36 percent of Americans polled get less than the 2.5 total hours of moderate or vigorous exercise that the CDC says we need each week.

One in 6 Americans reported zero moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking), and 45 percent reported no vigorous exercise (jogging, aerobics, etc.) at all. We know that life can get in the way of getting your sweat on, but maybe it’s time to stop making excuses and take it step by step. You can do it!

TAKE TIME TO GET MOVING

Let’s get real: most of us aren’t going to suddenly start working out every day. We need a more practical approach. So, what can you do to enjoy the sleep health benefits exercise can have? If you have a sedentary job that requires sitting behind a desk most of the day, even some light physical activity can greatly improve your sleep health.

Try using your work breaks to take a brisk walk or a do a quick 10-minute mini workout between meetings. Finding 10 to 20 minutes here and there during the day gets your blood pumping, leading to a deeper, more satisfying night of sleep.

EVERY STEP COUNTS

Regular exercise may help you get a good night’s sleep, according to both self-described workout warriors and non-exercisers.

The time of day you choose to work out makes a real difference in certain aspects of your sleep. For instance, morning exercise may help you sleep longer at night, while working out before bed could make it harder to fall fast asleep. We’re all wired differently, so figuring out the best time to use exercise to maximize your sleep quantity and quality can take a little experimentation. Once you figure out what works for you, you’ll be well on your way to an exercise regimen that fits your life.

RISE AND EXERCISE

Morning is the perfect time to enhance sleep potential—and boost cardiovascular conditioning while you’re at it. In fact, people who work out on a treadmill at 7 am sleep more hours each night, have deeper sleep cycles, and spend 75 percent more time in restorative stages of sleep than those who exercise at other times of day.

If you exercise outdoors in the morning, even better—you enjoy the added bonus of exposure to bright sunlight, which also helps regulate your circadian rhythms. If you lift weights, doing so in the morning may help you fall asleep faster at night than those who pump iron later in the day.

Our blood pressure naturally drops 10 to 20 percent at night, which helps the body heal, restore, and recover during those crucial periods of deep sleep. A morning workout appears to contribute to achieving that nighttime decline in blood pressure, so you get the most benefits from sleep. You’ll also experience a rush of exercise-induced endorphins first thing in the morning—brain chemicals that help you feel energized for the rest of the day.

MIDDAY MOVEMENT

Afternoon workouts also have significant sleep benefits. Body temperatures are naturally a few degrees warmer in the afternoon, which can help overall exercise performance because muscles are more pliant and work more efficiently.

Since exercise itself raises your body temperature for four to five hours after you stop working out, an afternoon exercise session means your body temperature will start to lower again close to your bedtime. This is a natural signal to your brain that you are ready to go to sleep and may help you stay asleep during the night.

EXERCISING AT NIGHT

If you like getting your workout in closer to bedtime, keep in mind that vigorous cardio workouts raise your body temperature and heart rate and can disrupt the process of falling asleep.

Try timing your evening aerobics so that you finish your workout one to two hours before going to sleep. This will allow your body temperature to drop and let some of those energy-raising endorphins to leave your system before bed. Yoga and other forms of breathing or stretching exercises are also a great alternative for evening workouts because they naturally encourage relaxation.

Keep in mind that whenever you work out, regular exercise is better for sleep than not exercising at all. It also lifts your mood and helps you maintain a healthy body. Basically, however you incorporate more exercise in your routine, it’s a win-win-win.

The important connection between consistent mealtimes and healthier sleep

Did you know that creating a consistent mealtime schedule can improve the quality of your sleep?

Your appetite and metabolism are an important part of your circadian rhythm—your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. In fact, your body’s food clock and sleep clock are closely linked and your meals and mealtimes can have a big impact on your overall sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation’s 2022 Sleep in America^® Poll shows that having consistent mealtimes is significantly associated with healthier sleep.

Among those surveyed, people who said they eat their meals at the same time every day had better sleep health than those with more inconsistent meal schedules.

Those with consistent meal schedules were also 14 percent more likely to report lower stress levels—which is widely known to have a positive effect on sleep and health.

Assess Your Meal Timing

Only 59 percent of Americans eat all meals at around the same time—which means that 4 in 10 Americans could be improving their sleep just by eating meals more consistently.

If you’re not maintaining a consistent meal schedule, there’s a good chance you’re also not getting the kind of sleep you want.

Just by making consistent meals part of your routine, you can set yourself up to get the sleep you want and need to improve your Sleep Life®.

Get Your Body Clock on Track with Meal Timing

Eating when your body expects you to eat is an important part of your sleep health—by encouraging healthy sleep patterns.

Like opening the blinds and letting light shine in your window each morning, food can help your body know it’s time to wake up.

Making breakfast part of your regular schedule helps jumpstart your day and lets your body know it’s time to be awake.

Don’t Let Eating Confuse Your Sleep Clock

Eating your meals at different times each day can confuse your body’s clock, making it harder to maintain regular sleep and wake schedules.

This is especially true for nighttime—so you may want to think twice before you make a late-night dinner reservation or reach for a midnight snack.

Eating a light dinner 2-3 hours before bedtime helps your body slowly ease into sleep mode. Heavy meals at night, as well as that tempting nightcap, can both disrupt your sleep.

Just as suddenly switching on a bright light in a dark room can alert and even startle you, eating dinner late into the evening tells your body it’s in awake mode. This makes it harder for your body to get into sleep mode.

Healthier sleep is rooted in a healthy routine—and that certainly includes what and when you eat. Eating your meals at a consistent time each day is a smart and simple way to get on your way to being your Best Slept Self^®.

Exposure to light has a powerful effect on how well you sleep at night

Light exposure is one of the most important factors when it comes to regulating our circadian rhythm—helping keep the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle in sync.

Because our brains are hard-wired to stay awake during daylight hours and fall asleep when it gets dark at night, it’s important to consider how your exposure to light is affecting your sleep-wake cycle.

Put simply, bright, natural light helps you wake up, while dim, dark environments help you go to sleep. Unfortunately, nearly half of Americans say they’re not exposed to bright light indoors in the morning and afternoon.

According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2022 Sleep in America^®Poll, only 51 percent of Americans report exposure to bright light when they’re indoors during the morning and only 53 percent report bright light exposure in the afternoon.

When it comes to screen use, most Americans are staring at their TVs, phones, laptops, and tablets way too close to bedtime.

We could all be better at regulating our exposure to light, and when you understand the impact that light exposure has on your sleep-wake cycle, you can learn how to manage light exposure to feel more awake during the day and sleep healthier at night.

Timing Matters

Your circadian rhythm is most sensitive to light about one hour after the time you usually wake up each morning, and about two hours before your normal bedtime and through the night.

Exposure to light during these times will affect when your body naturally gets sleepy and is ready to fall asleep.

Bask in Bright, Natural Light

The presence of both natural and artificial light during the day puts your body in awake-mode.

When you wake up in the morning, nothing beats getting outside to enjoy the benefits of natural light. Make it a habit to step outside for at least an hour each morning or afternoon—you’ll be surprised how just a little sunlight can help you feel awake, alert, and ready for the day.

You can also look for more opportunities to incorporate light exposure into your daily routine. If you start your day with a cup of coffee, make it a point to drink it outside–weather and climate permitting—to get your jolt of caffeine and a healthy dose of natural light. Treat your dog to an extra 10-minute walk or two in the afternoon. And if you exercise, try going for your daily run outside instead of spending it on a treadmill.

Limit Light Exposure at Night

Light exposure at night is like resetting your body’s natural clock, causing wakefulness at the wrong time of day, and disrupting your sleep. That’s because our brain starts to produce melatonin, a natural sleep-regulating hormone, as it gets dark. Turning on bright lights and staring at blue-light emitting screens disrupts this process.

If you aren’t sleeping well at night, your phone, TV, or laptop could be the likely culprit. Most Americans are using screens right before they go to bed. Just like light exposure during the day helps you feel awake, this has the same effect at night—so it makes sense that looking at screens or keeping the lights on can make you restless and unable to fall fast asleep.

That’s why we recommend dimming the lights as you unwind in the evening and turning off screens (phones, tablets, televisions, and laptops) at least one hour before your usual bedtime.

Healthier Sleep in Within Your Reach

A few tweaks to your routine will have you feeling more alert during the day and can make it easier to ease into deep, peaceful slumber at night. By developing some new habits, you can harness the powerful effect that light exposure has on your sleep-wake cycle—and you’ll be feeling like your Best Slept Self^®in no time.

Taking small steps in your day goes a long way in helping you improve your sleep at night.

Did you know that a good night’s sleep starts with what you do during the day? In fact, from the moment you wake up, you’re affecting your sleep that night.

The National Sleep Foundation’s 2022 Sleep in America^® poll shows that Americans’ daily routines create some less-than-ideal conditions for a good night’s sleep. As it turns out, many Americans can do a better job at the good daytime behaviors that help improve our sleep.

The good news is we all have the potential to improve our sleep—just by taking some small steps during your day. Making changes to your daytime habits not only sets the stage for better sleep but also leads to lower stress levels and better overall health.

Here are three simple changes to your daily routine to help you become your Best Slept Self^®:

GET SOME SUN

The right light exposure plays a big part in helping manage your circadian rhythms, the natural process behind staying awake and falling asleep. It’s also a super-influential factor for your overall sleep health.

So, it makes sense that bright, natural light during the day, especially in the morning, helps you feel awake and energized, while dim light in the evening, especially before bed, helps you wind down and fall asleep.

According to the National Sleep Foundation survey, people who spent a moderate amount of time outdoors (3-5 hours per day) reported the highest sleep health.

However, nearly half of Americans say they’re not exposed to bright light indoors in the morning and afternoon.

If you’re not getting much exposure to natural light, step outside for at least an hour each morning or afternoon and see the positive difference a little sunlight can make in your sleep health. Get some bonus sunshine by having your morning coffee outside, or taking your dog for an extra walk (they need vitamin D, too!).

GET UP AND GET MOVING

Making regular exercise part of your daily routine keeps you feeling energized during the day and can reduce daytime sleepiness. While daily physical activity has widespread health benefits and promotes better sleep at night, not everyone is getting their sweat on long enough to feel the positive effects.

Many Americans are sedentary for much of the day—with more than a third falling short of CDC recommendations for 2.5 hours of moderate or vigorous activity each week, like brisk walking, jogging, or running.

If you’re parked behind a desk most of the day, even some light physical activity can go a long way in improving your sleep health. Ride your bike to work if you can, or use your work breaks to take brisk walks outside. Skip the elevator and walk up and down your building’s stairs. Consider getting up a little earlier and make a 30-minute workout part of your pre-work routine. Regular exercise, even a little here and there, can help you fall asleep faster. This can result in a more satisfying night of sleep.

MEALTIME CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Eating your meals at a consistent time each day creates another important element of your daily routine that positively affects your sleep cycle.

While routinely eating meals on a regular schedule contributes to better quality sleep, 4 in 10 Americans polled say that their meals aren’t part of a regular, daily routine. Irregular mealtimes or skipped meals can negatively affect your ability to maintain sleep and wake schedules, especially if meals are eaten too close to bedtime.

Plan on eating meals at the same time every day and be sure to have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before bedtime to allow your food to fully digest before you turn in for the night. We’ve all experienced that haunting restlessness that can come from hitting the pillow soon after a meal.

Improving your sleep health doesn’t require drastic changes. Small, consistent adjustments to your daily routine can make a big difference. By getting sunlight during the day, making time for regular physical activity, and eating your meals at the same time, you can set the stage for better sleep and become your Best Slept Self^®.

Schneider Sponsors National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week^® Setting Industry Example in Workforce Well-Being

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@thensf.org

Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2025) — The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is proud to announce that Schneider’s sponsorship of Sleep Awareness Week (March 9-15, 2025) marks the fifth year of its support in educating the benefits of healthy sleep. Schneider, a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal, and logistics services, has continuously collaborated with the NSF to advance sleep health among the company’s 19,400 professional drivers and office personnel.

As part of this initiative, Schneider will introduce new sleep health resources to its entire team, which underscores Schneider’s commitment to responsibility and sets a new standard among large U.S. employers and the transportation industry.

For 35 years, NSF, the global leader in sleep health, has educated the public about the importance sleep has on health and well-being, emphasizing the vital role that it plays in overall performance, productivity, and safety. Schneider, recognized as an industry leader in transportation and logistics, has a long history of implementing initiatives that promote safety.

Schneider has been a long-term supporter of NSF’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week^® campaign each fall and will continue to bring NSF’s science-based sleep health resources directly to company employees. The goal is to help professional drivers achieve healthy sleep for productivity and safety both on the road and at home.

“Schneider continues to be an example for large employers, particularly in the transportation industry, by making sleep health a priority,” said John Lopos, CEO at National Sleep Foundation. “We’re excited to continue our collaboration and showcase how organizations can support their workforce to get healthy sleep, which ultimately is a smart investment that can return a lot on and off the job.”

Additionally, Schneider will integrate sleep health resources, including NSF’s Best Slept Self^® framework, into resources for drivers that can immediately support vigilance behind the wheel plus long-term health and wellness.

“At Schneider, we know that sleep is essential for performance, safety, and overall health. Through our collaboration with the National Sleep Foundation, we’re investing in our associates and reinforcing our commitment to equipping them with tools they can use for better sleep and better outcomes,” said Tom DiSalvi, Vice President of Safety, Compliance and Driver Training at Schneider. “As a reliable company that keeps the supply chain moving in a 24/7 world, we recognize the responsibility we have—not just to our drivers, but to the entire industry—to lead by example when it comes to the benefits of sleep.”

Sleep Awareness Week begins at the start of Daylight Saving Time, when most Americans change their clocks and lose an hour of sleep. It’s a particularly important time to provide best practices that help maintain healthy sleep behaviors, keep consistent sleep schedules, and manage risks for potential sleepiness and worker fatigue.

Through this collaboration, NSF and Schneider aim to demonstrate that prioritizing sleep doesn’t deliver just health benefits; it’s an investment in a company’s most important assets—its people—and is great for business. For more information on Sleep Awareness Week^®, visit www.theNSF.org.

About the National Sleep Foundation

About Schneider

Schneider is a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services. Offering one of the broadest portfolios in the industry, Schneider’s solutions include Regional and Long-Haul Truckload, Expedited, Dedicated, Bulk, Intermodal, Brokerage, Warehousing, Supply Chain Management, Port Logistics and Logistics Consulting.

Schneider has been safely delivering superior customer experiences and investing in innovation for 90 years. The company’s digital marketplace, Schneider FreightPower^®, is revolutionizing the industry giving shippers access to an expanded, highly flexible capacity network and provides carriers with unmatched access to quality drop-and-hook freight – Always Delivering, Always Ahead.

For more information about Schneider, visit Schneider.com or follow the company socially on Facebook, LinkedIn and X: @WeAreSchneider.

Who doesn’t love a sound night’s sleep? Good sleep can start you on your way to flourish in life by helping you achieve goals, feel productive at home and work and have a fulfilling social life. Often times, several things can get in the way of good, healthy sleep. Lifestyle choices, environmental disruptions, and even serious medical conditions including sleep disorders make the list.

Millions of Americans live with undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorders. These conditions don’t just keep many of us from getting enough of the quality sleep we need. They also can have very real health consequences.

Sleep Apnea: It’s a Serious Threat to Public Health

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. An apnea occurs when your breathing pauses during sleep—sometimes for ten seconds or more. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is when some feature of a person’s head or neck blocks their airway during sleep, causing them to stop breathing and gasp for breath throughout the night. People with OSA don’t just get poor, disrupted sleep. They also can feel tired, sleepy, and unfocused during the day. This puts them at higher risk for a drowsy driving crash when they’re behind the wheel and for having an accident on the job.

National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is concerned about the impact of undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea on our nation’s health. Sleep apnea is a serious public health issue that affects tens of millions of Americans. With support from Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., NSF conducted a survey to learn more about how Americans view the severity of sleep apnea and discover opportunities to increase diagnosis and treatment of the disorder. New findings from the Understand Sleep Apnea Survey show that nearly 29 million Americans suspect they have sleep apnea. Even more alarming, one in three adults who say they’re diagnosed with the disorder go untreated. Untreated sleep apnea is linked to other serious health risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, and depression.

Why Knowing Matters: Sleep Apnea is a Serious Medical Condition

Nearly 32 million adults don’t view sleep apnea as a serious medical issue that requires treatment. On top of that, only one in four adults can identify a few of the health consequences of untreated sleep apnea.

Estimates show a staggering 45 million adults would prefer not to know if they had the condition. So, there’s still a lot people can learn to help them change their attitudes and take action if they or someone close to them has sleep apnea. A good starting point is to understand the options people have today to help get diagnosed and treated.

Understanding Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

Many people know about the most common sleep apnea treatments. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common and well-known treatment, where a bedside machine provides a steady flow of air through a nosepiece or mask to help keep a person’s airway open during sleep. Of course, there’s also lifestyle changes that include weight loss, changes to your sleeping position, and healthy sleep behaviors. There are even treatment options that can fit in the mouth to help keep the airway open during sleep, like custom fit dental appliances.

Unfortunately, 4 in 10 adults can correctly identify just 50% or fewer of the treatment options for sleep apnea. Medications, surgical options, and implantable devices also are available but are the least known treatment options.

What’s encouraging is nearly eight in 10 Americans say they would prioritize treatment if diagnosed with sleep apnea. So, it’s time to help more people get the diagnosis they need and understand the treatments are available to them. When people know more, they can make the best choice for them with the help of their healthcare professional.

The list of approaches available to treat sleep apnea continues to grow, including newer solutions that can help people who haven’t benefitted from other established types of treatment.

Inspire^® therapy is the name of the FDA-approved implantable treatment for people with moderate to severe OSA who have tried and failed CPAP. It is a surgically implanted device placed by your collarbone that delivers gentle electrical pulses to your tongue muscles to help keep your airway open, so you can breathe more regularly while you’re sleeping.

Becoming Your Best Slept Self^®

NSF and Inspire will continue to collaborate to raise awareness of the health consequences of untreated sleep apnea. And we will seek to address barriers and opportunities that can help improve diagnosis and treatment of the disorder. This aligns with NSF’s promise to help anyone and everyone be their Best Slept Self®. Sometimes that means seeking help from a medical professional if you suspect you have a sleep disorder, like sleep apnea. Getting diagnosed with a prescription for an effective treatment is an important step to improving your sleep and health. Controlling your sleep apnea through lifestyle changes, medical treatments and good sleep habits can give you the chance to flourish and live the life you want to live.

This content was produced independently by the National Sleep Foundation and supported by Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., a Platinum sponsor of the 2025 Sleep Awareness Week^® campaign. Sponsored content is educational and not intended to promote products or services or make medical claims.

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. is dedicated to elevating and redefining the standard of care for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Only ¼ of Americans Can Identify the Health Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Media Contact:
Mauren Higgins
mhiggins@brcommunications.com

Washington, D.C. (March 11, 2025) — As part of the National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) mission to improve health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy, today NSF debuts results from the Understanding Sleep Apnea Survey. This new independent research and report, supported by Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., shares new insights into how Americans view the severity of sleep apnea and opportunities to increase diagnosis and treatment of the disorder. Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. Nearly 4 in 10 adults (38%) are at an increased risk for sleep apnea.

NSF independently conducted a nationally representative survey of over 1,000 US adults to identify the public’s current understanding of and attitudes about sleep apnea symptoms, treatment options and preferences, and consequences of untreated sleep apnea. Key findings from the research revealed:

Nearly 9 in 10 adults (88%) say sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that is important to treat, yet nearly one third (31%) of those already diagnosed with sleep apnea are not currently receiving treatment.
78% of Americans aren’t aware of all the treatment options available for sleep apnea. Nearly 9 in 10 adults (88%) recognized CPAP therapy, but more than 40% weren’t aware of options like surgery, implantable devices, and medication, among other approved treatments.
1 in 4 Americans can only identify a few health consequences of untreated sleep apnea despite untreated sleep apnea being linked to poor cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive health.

“National Sleep Foundation is concerned about the impact of undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea on our nation’s health. It’s a serious public health concern that affects tens of millions of Americans, and the public regularly asks NSF for education about the disorder. By finding and addressing gaps in the public’s understanding, attitudes, and actions about sleep apnea, we’re doing our part to help people ultimately get to a clinical professional and take the right steps towards treatments they may need.” said John Lopos, NSF CEO.

“Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. understands the importance of supporting this study by the National Sleep Foundation and collaborating to share its results. We believe these important findings shed light on the critical gaps and opportunities in education on sleep apnea consequences and treatments, which could ultimately help many people get healthy sleep. Knowing the public can benefit from innovative alternatives, Inspire is committed to advancing the awareness of treatment options and access for patients, including with its FDA-approved treatment for those with obstructive sleep apnea who have tried and failed CPAP. By supporting this work, we hope all Americans can better understand the importance of sleep and its impact on their health,”said Tim Herbert, Inspire Medical Systems Chairman & Chief Executive Officer.

With these NSF study results, NSF and Inspire will collaborate to raise awareness of the health consequences of untreated sleep apnea and seek to educate about barriers and opportunities that can help improve diagnosis and treatment of the disorder, towards NSF’s promise to help anyone and everyone be their Best Slept Self^®.

The Understanding Sleep Apnea Report and source research was independently produced by National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Funding for these activities and support to share NSF’s results were provided by Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. The report is released during NSF’s 27^th annual Sleep Awareness Week^®, a multi-sponsored educational and public awareness campaign, for which Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. is a Platinum Sponsor. NSF independently produces Sleep Awareness Week and all related official educational content.

For more information on the survey findings, visit: www.theNSF.org/SleepApneaSurvey.

About the National Sleep Foundation

About Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., is a medical technology company, providing Inspire^® therapy–a mask-free solution for people with moderate to severe OSA who have tried and failed CPAP. More information, including important safety information and product manuals, can be found at inspiresleep.com/safety or by calling 1-844-OSA-HELP. For additional information about Inspire, please visit www.inspiresleep.com.

New Findings Highlight the Importance of Healthy Sleep for Well-Being

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

Washington, D.C. (March 6, 2025) — As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing sleep health and to launch Sleep Awareness Week^® 2025 (March 9-15), the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has released new data from its 2025 Sleep in America^®Poll demonstrating the powerful link between sleep health and an individual’s ability to flourish in life. Flourishing encompasses happiness, productivity at home and work, goal achievement, and fulfilling social relationships—key indicators of well-being.

New findings from the Sleep in America Poll include:

Sleep Satisfaction and Flourishing: Nearly 9 in 10 adults (88%) who report good sleep satisfaction are flourishing, while less than half (47%) of those with poor sleep satisfaction experience the same level of well-being.
Sleep Duration Matters: People who get the NSF’s recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night are significantly more likely to flourish. Over 7 in 10 adults report that they thrive when they have enough quality sleep.
Consequences of Poor Sleep: Individuals with poor sleep health are
- 4 times more likely not to be happy
- 2.5 times more likely not to be productive at work
- 3 times more likely not to achieve their goals
- 2 times more likely not to be productive at home
- 2 times more likely not to have a fulfilling social life

“We can’t overstate the significance of these findings. Poor sleep health is a major risk factor for lower well-being across multiple areas of life. Prioritizing sleep health at a societal level can lead to improved mental health, workplace efficiency, and stronger personal relationships—critical components of a thriving population,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, NSF’s SVP of Research and Scientific Affairs.

NSF’s research continues to highlight the essential role of sleep for health and well-being. As Sleep Awareness Week 2025 approaches, NSF encourages the public to take actionable steps toward prioritizing sleep, including keeping consistent healthy sleep habits.

“Sleep is fundamental to thriving across many aspects of our life,” said John Lopos, NSF CEO. “These study results reinforce how crucial positive sleep health is to basic achievements in life that are important to many people, beyond physical health.”

Sleep Awareness Week 2025 is sponsored through unrestricted funding and support from Platinum sponsor Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., and Gold sponsors Apnimed, Avadel, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Purecare, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Silver sponsors include Asleep, Breescape, Harmony Biosciences, IKEA U.S., Neurovalens, NextSense, Pocket Kado, Samsung Health, Schneider National, UBlockout, Variowell, Waymo and Withings.

Collaborators include American Heart Association, Comfort Keepers, Higi, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Organization for Youth Safety, National PTA, Rural Minds, and Students Against Destructive Decisions, who, among many other organizations and agencies, help to promote NSF’s sleep health messages.

For more sleep health information and to learn ways to be your Best Slept Self^®, visit www.theNSF.org.

About the National Sleep Foundation

So, you get close to the recommended amount of nightly sleep. You keep a regular sleep schedule and practice healthy sleep behaviors. Still, you struggle with chronic sleepiness throughout the day. Maybe you’ve decided you’re ready to talk to a healthcare professional about the challenges you’re feeling during the day and around sleep at night, or because you’ve noticed some shocking symptoms that keep you from being awake and asleep when you want to be. While less common, there’s a chance that narcolepsy could be what’s causing your issues with wakefulness and sleep. Narcolepsy is sleep disorder that affects how your brain is able to control and segment sleep and wake. That means people with narcolepsy often feel very sleepy during the day when they would expect to be alert, and they also can have difficulties sleeping at night. Narcolepsy has significant impacts on daily life. It is often misunderstood, and delayed and underdiagnosis is common, so recognizing and understanding its symptoms is the first step towards being diagnosed and getting the treatment you need.

Diagnosing Narcolepsy Can be Challenging

Narcolepsy is often hard to diagnose because its symptoms may overlap with those seen with metabolic neurological, sleep, or psychiatric health issues. What’s more, narcolepsy often coexists with other conditions, which can make diagnosis even harder. For example, a person with both narcolepsy and depression might receive treatment for depression while their narcolepsy goes undetected. Narcolepsy can even co-occur with other sleep disorders like sleep apnea, often marked by snoring, which can complicate or delay narcolepsy diagnosis. Persistent excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting adequate hours of sleep, sleep paralysis (where you can’t move or speak upon waking) and hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up are all symptoms linked to the two types of narcolepsy: type 1 and type 2. The main difference between the two types is that type 1 also features sudden muscle weakness during emotional bursts (like laughter), called cataplexy. People with narcolepsy type 1 are deficient in a neurotransmitter called orexin (aka hypocretin), which helps the brain regulate sleep and wake.

Shortening the Long Journey to Care

With all of these different considerations, the path to a diagnosis of narcolepsy can be long and frustrating. It can take many years from the onset of symptoms which often emerge in middle childhood through young adulthood, to get a proper diagnosis. What contributes to this delay? For starters, it’s a rare sleep disorder that isn’t well-known by most people, even in the case where the hallmark symptoms are all present. General practitioners and even some specialists may not be familiar with the full range of narcolepsy symptoms or the criteria for diagnosis. This can lead to people being referred to multiple specialists and pursuing other diagnoses before narcolepsy is considered. Many people may not even realize they have symptoms of this sleep disorder, so they don’t seek help until they have been coping for many years.

The Role of Sleep Studies

Diagnosing narcolepsy typically involves a study in a sleep lab, which includes an overnight polysomnogram (PSG) followed by several scheduled daytime naps in a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). The nap test measures how quickly a person falls asleep and whether they enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep during the nap. Preparing for this type of testing is important, and includes an inventory of medications and sleep schedule, ruling out other common sources of sleepiness. While these tests are crucial for a definitive diagnosis, they are not always readily accessible. There can be long wait times to see a specialist or schedule the necessary work-up and sleep studies, and not all healthcare facilities are equipped to perform this type of testing.

Diagnosis can be Life Changing…in a Good Way!

While it takes a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment and support to manage symptoms, living well with narcolepsy can be achieved. Diagnosis and treatment are key in achieving goals at work, optimizing your academic journey, and fostering and maintaining social connections. Treating narcolepsy can also help reduce the risk of accidents by helping to address the possibility of sudden sleep attacks while driving or operating machinery.

Improving the diagnosis of narcolepsy takes several steps. First, increasing awareness among healthcare providers and the public to better understand the disorder and its symptoms is important. For clinicians, that means access to continuing medical education programs and incorporating more sleep medicine into medical school curricula. Also, public awareness campaigns can encourage people, friends, and families to more quickly identify symptoms and seek help.

Narcolepsy can be very difficult to diagnose. It occurs in only about 1 in every 2000 people, and diagnosis rates are still lower than they could be because:

Narcolepsy is a complex and often misunderstood disorder.
Its symptoms overlap with symptoms of other conditions.
There’s a lack of awareness among healthcare providers and the general public.
Specialized tests are needed for a proper diagnosis.

Through more awareness, improving education, and emphasis on earlier diagnosis, more people living with narcolepsy can get the care they need and be on the path to being their Best Slept Self^®.

This content was produced independently by the National Sleep Foundation and supported by Takeda, a Gold sponsor of the 2025 Sleep Awareness Week^® campaign. Sponsored content is educational and not intended to promote products or services or make medical claims.

Takeda is a pharmaceutical company whose vision is to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet.

Spring has sprung, and it’s time for renewal. Your sleep needs don’t change with the seasons, but as winter fades and temperatures rise, your bedroom might need a little refresh. A spring makeover can blossom into the perfect sleep environment–so you can get more of the sleep you want and need. Ready to give your space a seasonal reset? Here are some easy tips that can help you sleep better this spring!

Freshen Up Your Bedding

Now’s the natural time to swap out those heavy winter blankets for something lighter and brighter. And while you’re at it, your sheets might need to be refreshed too. There’s nothing like slipping into crisp, fresh bedding at the end of a long day. It’s like a hug from your bed – and who doesn’t want that?

Switch out warmer flannel sheets for a set designed to keep you cool as the temperatures rise. Don’t get caught up in looking for sheets with the highest thread count. It’s most important to find a set that feels comfortable to you. In fact, an NSF survey found that more than 4 in 10 American adults believe their bedding could use an upgrade for better sleep!

It’s also time to take a hard look at your pillow. Is it still holding up and supporting your go-to sleeping position? According to an NSF survey, more than half of American adults (54%) say their pillows could be more comfortable. The right pillow should properly support your head and neck so you can get the best sleep possible.

And don’t forget your mattress and pillow protector. Spring cleaning is a great time to ensure your mattress and pillow are clean and protected. When it comes to bedding, if you can’t wash it, make sure you’re protecting it.

Let There Be Light

Your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock, is affected by light. Take advantage of the longer daylight hours by letting natural light into your room in the morning. Open those curtains wide and let the sunshine in! In the evening, use blackout curtains to block out any remaining light to make a dark sleeping space. More than ¾ of American adults are willing to try to make their sleep space darker to improve their sleep. Consider using dimmable lights or a bedside lamp with a warm glow to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

Aromatherapy Magic

Scents can have a powerful impact on helping your body relax for sleep. 78% of Americans say they feel more relaxed in bed if their bedroom has a fresh, pleasant scent. Consider using calming essential oils or sachets with scents like lavender or jasmine, which are the top two preferences for 53% of Americans. Just be careful not to overdo it – you don’t want your bedroom smelling like a perfume factory.

Set a Perfect Room Temperature

A cool bedroom, ideally between 60-67°F, is the best temperature for sleep. Use a fan or air conditioner if necessary and set your thermostat to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the night.

Keep it Quiet

A noisy room can make it hard to get your beauty sleep. Block out distractions with the right pair of earplugs, a sound conditioning machine, or even a fan. If outside noise is an issue, try adding heavy curtains or soundproofing your windows.

And there you have it! Five simple steps to refresh your bedroom for spring to help you get better sleep. Go forth and transform your space into a sleep sanctuary. Sweet dreams!

This content was produced independently by the National Sleep Foundation and supported by Purecare, a Gold sponsor of the 2025 Sleep Awareness Week^® campaign. Sponsored content is educational and not intended to promote products or services.

Purecare is a bedding companywith one simple mission: to wrap the world in whole-body care and comfort.

We all know getting a good night’s sleep makes us feel better. But did you know it also plays a huge role in keeping your heart healthy? Both the quantity and quality of your sleep can have a major impact on your cardiovascular health. From regulating blood pressure to reducing inflammation, sleep does a lot of behind-the-scenes work to keep your heart in good shape. Knowing this important connection may be motivation to take simple steps toward better sleep—and a healthier heart.

Understanding Your Cardiovascular Health

Your cardiovascular health is the well-being of your heart and blood vessels, which circulate blood throughout your body. There are a number of things that can put your heart health at risk. High blood pressure and abnormally high heart rates can reduce your heart’s efficiency. Stress and excessive weight gain are also linked to heart disease. Poor cardiovascular health can lead to events like heart attacks and strokes.

How Are Sleep and Your Heart Connected?

When you sleep, your body goes through important processes that help keep your heart healthy. Here’s how:

Blood Pressure Regulation: While you sleep, your blood pressure naturally drops, giving your heart and blood vessels a break. But if you’re not getting enough good quality sleep, your blood pressure might stay elevated, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Inflammation and Stress Hormones: Skimping on sleep can boost stress hormones like cortisol and raise levels of inflammation in your body. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage arteries and lead to serious heart problems.

Weight and Metabolism: Not getting enough sleep can throw off your hunger hormones, making you more likely to crave unhealthy foods and eat more. Poor sleep is also linked to insulin resistance, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes—a major risk factor for heart disease.

In addition to how long you sleep, the quality of your sleep is also important to your health. Several studies have shown that poor sleep quality is associated with higher risk of heart disease. Over time, poor quality sleep can lead to other unhealthy habits that can hurt your heart. Higher stress levels, less motivation to be active, and unhealthy food choices can lead to a higher risk of heart disease. Not getting the quality sleep you need is also linked to depression and other mental health issues, which can also hurt your heart health.

Sleep Disorders and Their Impact on Heart Health

Certain sleep disorders can put extra strain on your heart. Here’s what to watch for:

Insomnia: Beyond having daytime consequences, persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep can lead to chronic sleep loss, or insufficient sleep which can affect heart health.

Sleep Apnea: This condition causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep, leading to oxygen deprivation and increased blood pressure. It’s strongly linked to irregular heart rhythms (like atrial fibrillation) and heart failure.

Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a chronic, neurologic sleep disorder with symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), disrupted nighttime sleep, and cataplexy (sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone). People with narcolepsy may have a higher risk of heart disease and other metabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, compared to people without narcolepsy. Additionally, blood pressure typically dips during sleep, but this may not happen consistently in people with narcolepsy which could affect heart health.

Idiopathic Hypersomnia (IH): People with this rare sleep disorder have symptoms like EDS, long nighttime sleep, intense sleep inertia (drowsiness and disorientation after waking up), and long, unrefreshing naps. Both EDS and long sleep duration are independently associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Research has also shown that people with IH may have a higher cardiovascular disease burden than people without the disorder.

Tips for Better Sleep and Heart Health

NSF wants to help anyone and everyone be their Best Slept Self®. These tips can help you sleep better, which can help support your heart health.

Get Plenty of Daylight Exposure – Spend time outside or in bright, natural light during the day to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Stay Active for Better Sleep – Engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
Eat Meals at Consistent Times – Sticking to a regular eating schedule supports a healthy sleep rhythm. Plan to have meals at the same times each day to help your body stay in sync.
Avoid Sleep Disruptors Before Bed – Limit heavy meals, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol in the evening. These substances can interfere with your ability to fall and stay asleep.
Follow a Relaxing Evening Routine – Establish a regular, relaxing wind-down routine to help you prepare for 7-9 hours of sleep (for most adults) with consistent sleep and wake times.
Make Your Bedroom a Sleep-Friendly Environment – Keep your sleep space cool, quiet, and dark to create an environment that promotes restful sleep. Put away digital devices at least an hour before bed to avoid alerting and engaging content that can keep you up.

Prioritizing Sleep for a Healthier Heart

Getting enough quality sleep isn’t just about feeling refreshed—it’s a key part of keeping your heart healthy. By making sleep a priority, you can help reduce your risk of heart disease and improve your overall well-being. If you’ve followed our tips for being your Best Slept Self and still are experiencing persistent sleep issues or symptoms of a sleep disorder, talk to a healthcare professional, or consider reaching out to a sleep medicine specialist, to ensure both your sleep and heart stay in top shape.

This content was produced independently by the National Sleep Foundation and supported by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, a Gold sponsor of the 2025 Sleep Awareness Week^® campaign. Sponsored content is educational and not intended to promote products or services or make medical claims.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families.

Do you know someone living with narcolepsy? If you’ve ever thought you or someone close to you has this rare sleep disorder, it’s important to know you can work through day-to-day challenges with a good understanding of the condition and by finding the right strategies for you. Let’s take a closer look at what narcolepsy is, available treatment options, and ways to improve your sleep for healthy living.

What Exactly is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy affects how your brain is able to control sleep-wake cycles. That means people with narcolepsy often feel very sleepy during the day when they would expect to be alert and can have difficulties sleeping at night. Common symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions), sleep paralysis (where you can’t move or speak while falling asleep or waking up), hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up, and problems sleeping at night. There are two types of narcolepsy: type 1 narcolepsy with cataplexy and type 2 narcolepsy without cataplexy. Noticing and understanding these symptoms is the first step towards being diagnosed and treated by a sleep doctor and using successful daily strategies for better sleep and wakefulness.

The Journey to Diagnosis

It often takes people living with narcolepsy years to be diagnosed, sometimes upwards of 15 years. Narcolepsy is commonly mistaken for other sleep disorders, cardiovascular, or mental health conditions because of the similarity of symptoms. The key sleep tests used by clinicians to help make a diagnosis include sleep lab tests like polysomnography (PSG), followed by a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) that uses scheduled naps. Sometimes cerebral-spinal fluid is tested for the presence (or lack) of orexin, a brain hormone that is mostly gone in people who have narcolepsy type 1.

Treatment Options: More Choices Than Ever

Even if narcolepsy isn’t curable, the good news is it’s treatable and there are more options now than ever before. Here are medications that can help manage symptoms.

Medications that stimulate your central nervous system can help you stay awake during the day.
Antidepressants can help with cataplexy and other symptoms.
Oxybate medicines, in different formulations and dosing schedules, that are specifically approved for treating narcolepsy with both symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.

But it’s not just about medicines. Lifestyle changes and healthy sleep behaviors can make a big difference too. Keeping a regular sleep schedule, taking short naps during the day, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed can really help. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be helpful for dealing with sleep-related anxiety and building healthy sleep habits.

Improving Sleep Health for Overall Well-Being

Prioritizing your sleep health is essential for managing narcolepsy and feeling your best. Simple habits—like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and winddown routine, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and avoiding alerting screens before bed—can make a big difference. Regular exercise and a balanced diet with structured mealtimes also support better sleep and well-being.

People can live a full and rewarding life while managing the challenges of narcolepsy. With the right combination of medical treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and focus on healthy sleep habits, your condition doesn’t have to get in the way of being your Best Slept Self^®.

This content was produced independently by the National Sleep Foundation and supported by Avadel, a Gold sponsor of the 2025 Sleep Awareness Week^® campaign. Sponsored content is educational and not intended to promote products or services or make medical claims.

Avadel is a biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming medicine to transform lives.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common but serious chronic sleep related breathing disorder that’s diagnosed by a doctor. It’s when disrupted breathing—stops and starts that repeat throughout the night— deprives the body of oxygen and keeps people from getting enough of the quality sleep they need. Physical features and decreased neuromuscular function in the head and neck block the airway, causing people to snore or gasp for breath. The results: a poor night’s sleep, tiredness the next day, and risks to both physical and mental health. Did we say it’s common? Yes, OSA is all too common, which makes it a public health concern and one of the top sleep disorders National Sleep Foundation (NSF) helps the public understand better. Over 50 million Americans are estimated to have OSA and 80% of those are undiagnosed. OSA affects individuals across all walks of life, impacting both males and females of all age groups, ethnicities, and weight classes.

How Does OSA Happen?

There’s a number of ways the upper airway can get blocked when we sleep:

Certain Anatomical Features: Some physical traits, like a narrow throat, large tonsils, large tongue, differences in head shape, a small lower jaw or a recessed chin can increase the risk of airway blockage.
Neuromuscular Disfunction: Having a dip in your upper airway muscles, caused by a relaxed muscle tone while sleeping can make it harder to keep your airway open. Your muscles may also be less responsive during periods of reduced breathing while having an OSA event. Neuromuscular dysfunction is present in everyone and reduces upper airway muscle activation during sleep, which can lead to airway collapse, especially in those with certain anatomical factors that further compromise airflow.
Obesity: Excess weight, especially around the neck, can put pressure on the airway, making it more likely to collapse during sleep.
Age: As you get older, the muscles in your throat can lose tone, making it easier for the airway to collapse.

How Does Untreated OSA Affect Your Life?

OSA can have a big impact on various parts of your life both during the day and night, which is why diagnosis and treatment are so important. OSA leads to fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and cognitive impairment, which can impact quality of life, daily functioning, and productivity.

Physical Health: Having OSA can put you at higher risk of developing serious health conditions like high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Mental Health: Having OSA can make you feel tired during the day and also affect your mental health. You might experience increased irritability, mood swings, and even depression. By not getting enough of the quality sleep your brain and body need, the balance of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate your body’s mood and stress responses don’t work as well.

Family and Relationships

Emotional Strain: OSA can cause constant sleepiness and irritability that impacts relationships, making it sometimes difficult to maintain healthy interactions with family members, friends, and colleagues.
Snoring and Sleep Disruptions: Loud snoring can disturb the sleep of a bed partner, leading to frustration and insufficient sleep for them as well. No one wants to toss and turn because their bed partner is snoring or gasping for air all night!

Safety

OSA can contribute to sleepiness that increases the risk of drowsy driving. Falling asleep behind the wheel, slower reaction times, and decreased alertness cause crashes.

Work Productivity

Daytime Sleepiness: Excessive daytime sleepiness can make it harder to concentrate and affects your memory and decision-making abilities. You can be present at work and still not perform well because OSA has caused you to have insufficient sleep.
Absences from Work: People with untreated OSA are more likely to miss work due to sleepiness and health issues that come from sleep loss.

Diagnosing OSA

OSA is a chronic medical condition that’s diagnosed by a physician, most often a professional who is trained in sleep disorders medicine (i.e., a sleep doctor). There are questionnaires and clinical tests used in both sleep laboratories and at home to help with diagnosis. There’s also a new generation of FDA-cleared consumer technology devices used in the bedroom, on the bed, or worn on the body to detect symptoms of OSA and help with the doctor’s diagnosis.

Treatment Options for OSA

If you have OSA, getting diagnosed is a good thing. There are millions and millions of people like you. Treatment of OSA is individualized, based on working with your doctor, and it’s critical that any treatment is used appropriately. So, it’s important to have a range of available options from which you can choose:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A CPAP machine rests by the bedside and delivers air pressure through a mask or nose piece, keeping the airway open during sleep. It’s the most common treatment used for OSA and is prescribed by a doctor.
Oral Appliances: Mouthguard-like devices that reposition the jaw or tongue during sleep to keep the airway open. Dental specialists often provide these treatments.
Surgery: Specialized surgeons use procedures to reshape the jaw or mouth palate or remove obstructions like tonsils. A newer procedure, Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HNS), also known as Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS), involves implanting a device like a pacemaker that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to control movement of the tongue.
Positional Therapy: Some people benefit from devices like supports, pillows, or even garments that prevent them from sleeping on their back. These products can often be found at retail sources and may even qualify for health savings account purchases.
Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss, diet changes, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and sleeping on your side can help reduce symptoms. This is often the first place to start and supports other prescribed treatments.
Medicines and Future Treatments: The landscape of OSA treatments is constantly evolving, which can help people with OSA find even more options. Recently an injectable form in the GLP-1 class of medicines was approved by FDA to treat OSA. New treatment options in development to manage OSA include an oral pill that targets the neurological dysfunction of OSA.

A couple things are for sure: living with diagnosed and treated OSA can have its challenges, but living with undiagnosed OSA can lead to serious short and long term health consequences and even death. Fortunately, OSA is a fairly common condition, and there is a growing range of treatment options that can have a positive impact on your health and well-being. If you have concerns about sleep apnea, it’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

This content was produced independently by the National Sleep Foundation and supported by Apnimed, a Gold sponsor of the 2025 Sleep Awareness Week^® campaign. Sponsored content is educational and not intended to promote products or services or make medical claims.

Apnimed is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to breathing new life into the sleep-related breathing disease treatment landscape through innovation in oxygenation.

We all know how great it feels to laugh over dinner with a friend or sing at the top of your lungs at a concert with your squad. There’s a reason the expression ‘filling my social battery’ exists. Most people feel reinvigorated after social interactions with friends or family. After all, the people we connect with shape our lives in so many ways. But did you know that the quality of those connections can be heavily influenced by sleep? NSF’s 2025 Sleep in America Poll^â showed that 80% of adults agree that getting enough, good-quality sleep can really improve their social lives.

And it’s not just us talking—recently, a 2023 report from the U.S. Surgeon General raised alarms about the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. It reminds us that having strong social connections is key not just to our mental health, but also to our overall well-being. But when those connections aren’t there, it can take a serious toll on our health. So, now more than ever, it’s important to figure out how to keep our social lives strong—and sleep is a big part of that puzzle.

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Social Behavior
Ever noticed that when you’re tired, you just don’t feel like being around people? Maybe you withdraw from social events or struggle to stay engaged in conversations. Sleep deprivation can make us feel less enthusiastic about socializing, and that isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness. It’s a vicious cycle: lack of sleep affects our behavior, which then worsens how we feel socially. But when we’re our Best Slept Self^®, we’re more likely to engage with others, make plans, and have a good time. Getting enough of the sleep we need can help us keep our relationships alive and thriving.

The Role of Sleep in Empathy and Compassion
Ever notice how hard it is to feel compassionate when you’re exhausted? Sleep deprivation can make it harder to empathize with others, and we might find ourselves less patient with people. But, after getting a good night’s sleep, our brain has energy to process our emotions properly, which makes it easier to show empathy. That empathy helps us connect with others, offer support when they need it, and build stronger, more meaningful relationships. So, said another way, sleep can help us be present for the people around us and foster those deep, empathetic connections.

Practical Tips for Better Sleep
So, how do we get the sleep that we need? These small steps can help you become your Best Slept Self^®.

Spend Time in Bright Light – Make it a point to spend time outdoors or in bright natural light during the day. NSF recommends aiming for an hour a day. It’s a simple way to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep at night. Try this tomorrow and see how it feels!
Move Your Body for Better Sleep – Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days. Whether it’s a walk, a jog, or a workout, staying active can improve your sleep quality and boost your energy. Pick an activity you enjoy and start moving!
Eat at Regular Times – Try to eat at the same time every day. Consistent mealtimes help keep your body’s rhythm on track. Set a reminder to stick to a routine this week and notice how it impacts your sleep.
Cut Out Sleep Disruptors Before Bed – Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol in the evening. These can mess with your sleep, so make it a habit to skip them two hours before bed. Challenge yourself to try this tonight and see if you feel the difference!
Create a Relaxing Evening Routine – Set aside some time to wind down before bed. Whether it’s taking a warm bath, sipping caffeine-free tea, listening to calming music, or reading a book, find what helps you relax and start a routine tonight.
Make Your Bedroom Sleep-Friendly – Keep your sleep space cool, quiet, and dark. Put away your phone or any devices at least an hour before bed to avoid blue light and engaging content. Try refreshing your bedroom tonight and notice if it helps you sleep better.

By getting the sleep you need you’ll feel like you have the energy to take that pottery class, learn to swing dance, or get a reservation with your friends for that new restaurant you’ve been drooling over. Not only can sleep help you be more compassionate and empathetic with your friends and family, it can help you enjoy spending time with them too.

An Overlooked Key to Workplace Success

In today’s pressured and fast-paced world, many people sacrifice sleep to meet work demands. Here’s an insider’s tip: getting enough quality sleep is one of the best ways to boost productivity, enhance job performance, and improve well-being while on the job and at home. Sleep plays a vital role in workplace success—impacting focus, mood, motivation, and even long-term career growth.

Why Sleep Matters for Productivity

Nothing happens while we sleep, right? Actually, sleep isn’t a period of inactivity—it’s when the brain and body recover, process information, and prepare for the next day. Quality sleep improves:

Focus & Decision-Making – Well-rested employees think more clearly, solve problems faster, and make fewer mistakes.
Mood & Stress Management – A good night’s sleep helps regulate emotions, reducing stress and irritability while improving teamwork and communication.
Energy & Motivation – Sleep fuels the body and mind, helping workers stay engaged and productive throughout the day.
Health & Resilience – Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity—leading to more sick days and reduced performance.

Sleep is important, but many workers report having negative consequences from insufficient sleep. In the 2025 Sleep in America Poll^®:

58% said not getting enough sleep negatively affects their productivity.
45% struggle to interact with people in person, in meetings, or on the phone.
45% have difficulty controlling their temper in front of people.
58% have difficulty handling their workload and completing tasks without mistakes.
54% say sleep deprivation makes it difficult to work their required hours.

These findings highlight how poor sleep and sleep loss significantly can strain workplace relationships and the quality of your work.

Be Your Best Slept Self^®: Simple Steps to Sleep Better & Work Smarter

To get enough of the high quality sleep you need, these expert-backed tips can help to improve sleep and workplace performance:

Get Plenty of Daylight Exposure – Spend time outside or in bright, natural light during the day to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Stay Active for Better Sleep – Engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Regular exercise can improve sleep quality and overall energy levels.
Eat Meals at Consistent Times – Sticking to a regular eating schedule supports a healthy sleep rhythm. Try to have meals at the same times each day to help your body stay in sync.
Avoid Sleep Disruptors Before Bed – Limit heavy meals, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol in the evening. These substances can interfere with your ability to fall and stay asleep.
Follow a Relaxing Bedtime Routine – Establish a consistent wind-down routine that helps you transition to sleep. Try different techniques like taking a warm shower or bath, drinking a soothing caffeine-free tea, listening to soft music, or reading a book.
Make Your Bedroom a Sleep-Friendly Environment – Keep your sleep space cool, quiet, and dark to create an environment that promotes healthy sleep. Put away digital devices at least an hour before bed to avoid blue light exposure that can interfere with melatonin production as well as alerting or engaging content on your phone that can keep you up.

A Call to Action: Prioritize Sleep for a More Productive Workforce

Sleep is a public health priority that directly impacts workplace success. Employers, health professionals, and individuals all have a role in fostering a culture that values sleep. By making sleep a priority, we can enhance our productivity, well-being, and overall quality-of-life.

The Link Between Sleep Health and Happiness

We all want to be happy, right? But there’s one thing that often gets overlooked when it comes to happiness: sleep! Research shows that getting good sleep plays a huge role in our well-being. Getting enough of the sleep we need helps us balance our emotions, reduces stress, boosts our brain function, and just makes us feel better overall. When we get good sleep we can handle tough situations more easily, maintain positive relationships, and stay on top of things day-to-day. By understanding how sleep and happiness are connected, it’s clear that making sleep a priority could be a key to a happier life.

How Sleep Affects Mood
One of the most immediate ways sleep impacts happiness is through its effect on our mood. When we don’t get enough sleep, we can feel irritable, stressed, or generally out of sorts. On the other hand, getting enough sleep helps regulate emotions and fosters a positive mood which can help us look on the bright side of things. When we get good sleep, our brains can process emotions better, which can reduce mood swings and give you a greater sense of well-being. Findings from NSF’s 2025 Sleep in America^® Poll found 87% of American adults said that getting enough sleep has a positive impact on how happy they feel and 86% felt the same benefits after getting good quality sleep.

If we’re getting the sleep we need, we can also experience benefits in our broader mental health. Poor sleep can contribute to conditions like anxiety and depression, and people with chronic insomnia are at a higher risk for these issues. The good news is, NSF research found that over 90% of American adults with very good overall sleep health said they had no significant depressive symptoms. The same is true for teens! Nearly 80% of teens who practice healthy sleep behaviors are also free of significant depressive symptoms.

The Role of Sleep in Physical Health
We talked about how sleep can affect your mental health, but sleep can also affect the rest of your body. When we don’t feel physically well, it’s hard to stay positive. Health issues like diabetes and heart disease are linked to sleep deprivation. These conditions can lower your quality of life and increase stress, which can, in turn, reduce happiness.

On the flip side, good sleep supports physical health, contributing to a greater sense of well-being. Getting enough shut-eye can strengthen your immune system, boost your energy levels, and improve vitality, helping you feel more capable and resilient in your daily life.

Better Sleep for More Smiles
By making sleep a priority, we open the door to greater happiness and well-being. Being your Best Slept Self^® can pave the way for a brighter, more joyful future, and that’s something to smile about.

Setting and achieving your goals is a feeling like no other. While determination, planning, and effort are key, one often overlooked factor that can impact if you achieve your goals is sleep health. NSF’s 2025 Sleep in America Poll® foundpeople who regularly get NSF’s recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night (7-8 hours for older adults) report being able to better meet their goals. Quality sleep enhances focus, motivation, and overall success, making it an essential component of reaching your full potential.

The Role of Sleep in Cognitive Function

Sleep is important for helping your brain function, which is crucial for setting and achieving goals. During sleep our brains consolidate memories, process information, and clear out toxins. This process improves clarity, decision-making, and problem-solving skills—all of which are important for achieving goals.

What’s more, not getting enough of the sleep you need impairs attention, memory, and executive function, making it harder to stay focused. Even one night of poor sleep can lead to noticeable dips in how well your brain performs, which can slow progress towards personal and professional goals.

Sleep and Motivation

Being motivated is the driving force behind goal achievement, and sleep plays a vital role in sustaining motivation. When we are sleep-deprived, we tend to feel more fatigued, irritable, and unmotivated. Which can lead to procrastination and a lack of enthusiasm for pursuing our goals.

On the other hand, getting enough high quality sleep boosts our energy levels and emotional resilience, helping us stay motivated and engaged in what’s important to us. People who sleep well are more likely to approach their goals with a positive attitude and sustained effort, increasing their chances of success.

The Impact of Sleep on Emotional Regulation

Achieving goals can mean overcoming obstacles and dealing with setbacks. Effective emotional regulation is crucial for working through these challenges without becoming overwhelmed or discouraged. Sleep significantly helps our ability to manage emotions.

When we get the sleep we need our brains are better equipped to process and regulate emotions, reducing the likelihood of mood swings and enhancing our overall emotional stability. This improved emotional function allows us to stay focused and resilient in the face of difficulties, making it easier to persevere and achieve our goals.

Physical Health and Goal Achievement

Physical health is another important factor in goal achievement, and sleep is critical for maintaining good physical health. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to various health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These health problems can drain our energy, reduce our productivity, and hinder our ability to pursue our goals effectively.

Good sleep gives us back the energy and vitality we need. When we are our Best Slept Self^®, we are more likely to engage in regular physical activity, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid illnesses, all of which contribute to our overall capacity for goal achievement.

Practical Tips for Healthy Sleep

We all have an opportunity to do better. NSF’s 2025 Sleep in America Poll^® found 6 out of 10 adults don’t get enough sleep and 50% of adults would score their sleep satisfaction as a “F”. When we start focusing on being our Best Slept Self^â, 90% of individuals who engage in healthy sleep behaviors report being able to achieve the goals they set for themselves.

Here are some small steps you can do each day and night to help be your Best Slept Self:

Get Plenty of Daylight Exposure – Spend time in bright light during the day. NSF recommends aiming for one hour a day. Natural light or equivalent indoor brightness is best. Bright light helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Stay Active – Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days to improve sleep quality and energy levels.
Eat Meals at Consistent Times – Eating on a regular schedule supports a healthy sleep rhythm and helps your body stay in sync.
Avoid Sleep Disruptors Before Bed – Limit heavy meals, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol 2-3 hours before bed, as they can interfere with sleep.
Follow a Relaxing Evening Routine – Create a consistent wind-down routine to help you transition to sleep, such as taking a warm bath, drinking caffeine-free tea, listening to soft music, or reading.
Make Your Bedroom Sleep-Friendly – Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark to promote sleep. Avoid digital devices an hour before bed to prevent blue light from disrupting melatonin production.

If you’re working towards achieving goals, think sleep! By prioritizing good sleep, we can boost our cognitive function, motivation, emotional regulation, and physical health, all of which are essential for reaching our goals.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

Washington, D.C. (February 7, 2025): Today, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) announced Sleep Awareness Week^® 2025 will take place from March 9-15. Sleep Awareness Week, now in its 27^th year, is the NSF’s annual campaign emphasizing the importance of sleep to health and well-being and a call to action for the public to prioritize getting enough of the quality sleep they need.

Established by NSF in 1998, Sleep Awareness Week is the premier awareness and education campaign for sleep health. Each year, NSF releases the results of its hallmark Sleep in America® Poll during the campaign week. The Sleep in America Poll helps the public understand key attitudes, behaviors, and experiences with sleep health and explores a broad range of topics from aging, to exercise, to pain, to incorporating healthy sleep behaviors into daily living. Most recently, the 2024 Sleep in America Poll reinforced how sleep health and healthy sleep behaviors are strongly associated with mental health in teens.

“In our 35^th year, National Sleep Foundation continues to be the authority in sleep health education for the public and any organization concerned about the connection between sleep and health,” said Steven Lerman, MD, MPH, Chair of the NSF Board of Directors. “During Sleep Awareness Week we are excited to release important results and the latest insights from our newest research with the public.”

Sleep Awareness Week begins at the start of Daylight Saving Time when most Americans change their clocks and lose an hour of sleep. “NSF is here to help anyone and everyone be their Best Slept Self® and ultimately that’s what our Sleep Awareness Week campaign and our everyday promise is all about,” said John Lopos, CEO of NSF. “If we want to improve our health and look, feel, and do our best, we can start by focusing on our sleep.”

NSF independently produces the Sleep in America Poll, Sleep Awareness Week, and all related official educational content. The campaign reaches millions of people in the US and abroad and generates billions of media impressions each year. Campaign information and resources can be found on the NSF website.

About the National Sleep Foundation

86% of Americans aren’t very satisfied with their sleep and most will sacrifice fun activities to get a good night’s sleep.

Conshohocken, PA (January 9, 2025): As part of the IKEA goal to help more people get the good night’s sleep they deserve, today, IKEA U.S. is debuting the results from Sleep Matters: An Illuminating Report on Sleep, a study in collaboration between IKEA and the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), an independent nonprofit dedicated to improving overall health and well-being by advancing sleep health. The joint report shares new insights about how Americans are sleeping, which IKEA and NSF are using to provide solutions, advice and options to help people get better sleep.

Together with IKEA, NSF surveyed a representative sample of more than 2,000 U.S. adults[1] to uncover more about Americans’ sleep habits, barriers to good sleep, and how sleep affects physical health, mental health, relationships and creativity. The study revealed not only how important sleep is to people, but also that adults in the U.S. are generally getting less sleep than NSF recommends (7-9 hours a night) and that there are many barriers preventing people from getting enough quality sleep.

“At IKEA, we believe sleep should be a pleasure, not a source of pressure,” said Tania Moreira, Bedroom Business Manager, IKEA U.S. “With 80 years of experience in sleep solutions, we love helping our customers create the bedroom of their dreams. This collaboration with the National Sleep Foundation is helping us shine a light on sleep challenges so that we can better educate and take care of the many.”

Below are a few highlights from Sleep Matters: An Illuminating Report on Sleep:

There are many things preventing people from getting enough quality sleep. 67% of people reported not having a consistent, relaxing bedtime routine – often due to stress, responsibilities and lack of organization and time. As many as 4 in 10 people say their worries or a racing mind keeps them from getting the sleep they need. People in younger generations (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X) are more likely to be kept awake by stress and racing minds than older generations.
Americans’ attitudes toward sleep are clear: they know that better sleep means better living, and they’re willing to try a lot to improve their sleep. 86% of people are willing to miss out on activities they enjoy, like time with friends and family, dinners and concerts to get a good night’s sleep, and are even spending over 30 minutes a day thinking about sleep – that’s almost 8 full days a year.
The good news is, there are solutions and options to help people sleep better. Cool temperatures, mattress comfort and dark rooms were rated most important for getting a good night’s sleep (23%, 20% and 18%, respectively).

“At the same time the National Sleep Foundation recognizes its 35^th year as the global voice of sleep health for the public, we’re joining with IKEA to share new insights on people’s sleep experiences. Findings from this research amplify reasons why people are concerned about their sleep, plus reveal unique opportunities to help anyone and everyone be their Best Slept Self^®,” said John Lopos, CEO, National Sleep Foundation.

By understanding the sleep challenges faced by Americans, IKEA aims to raise awareness and provide practical solutions for better sleep. These solutions include well-designed, functional, durable and high quality, sustainable sleep products at prices everyone can afford. Helping customers achieve a better night’s sleep aligns with the company’s goal to reach millions of additional people and help them improve their everyday life.

For more information on the survey findings, visit: IKEA-USA.com/sleepreport.

[1]NSF surveyed a random, representative sample of 2,069 adults aged 18+. Interviews were conducted online and by telephone, and it was administered in English and Spanish.

About IKEA
At IKEA, the vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people by offering well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. Ingka Group (Ingka Holding B.V. and its controlled entities) is one of 12 different groups of companies that own and operate IKEA retail under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Ingka Group has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Ingka Group is a strategic partner in the IKEA franchise system, operating 375 IKEA stores in 30 countries – including 51 retail locations in the U.S.

For more information on IKEA U.S., see IKEA-USA.com, IKEA on LinkedIn, @IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.

About the National Sleep Foundation

theNSF.org │ SleepHealthJournal.org

Building on NSF Leadership Milestones in Sleep Health and SleepTech®

Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

Las Vegas, Nev. (January 7, 2025): National Sleep Foundation (NSF), the global voice of sleep health, presented its current viewpoints and new population sleep health data to media and attendees at CES®2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The update recognized 2025 as NSF’s 35^th year as the leading voice in sleep health for the public, and ten years since hosting the first ever SleepTech Summit at CES in 2015.

NSF highlighted the growing contributions of SleepTech® to diversify and democratize innovation that can improve sleep. These advances can help everyday consumers get enough of the quality sleep they need, plus realize NSF’s goal to make sleep science-based products and services more accessible and convenient. NSF noted a steady increase in the development of new technologies and form factors targeting sleep, spanning wearable and proximal devices, environmental solutions, and clinical sleep solutions that improve the patient experience. NSF featured its ongoing collaboration with the Consumer Technology Association® (CTA) on standards for consumer sleep technology, to benefit designers, developers, manufacturers, and end users. They have produced five already, with AI standards pending.

“This coming year we expect to see another spike in announcements about new SleepTech® products coming to market that advance the field and can support more people’s decisions to prioritize sleep for their lifestyle, wellness, and health,” said John Lopos, NSF CEO. “It comes from a range of start-ups, growing platforms, and iconic names among consumer brands. The sleep economy as NSF defines it will be on a path to grow beyond what others have previously predicted.” NSF also anticipates more unique insights about population sleep health through new collaborations. At CES, Lopos gave examples of NSF’s recently announced engagements with Panasonic Well for family sleep health and with 2025 Sleep Awareness Week® Platinum Sponsor, Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., for obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, NSF is a member and resource in AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative^TM. He noted how shared interests help educate the public overall and inform an array of companies committed to sleep health.

NSF also expects significantly increased focus on sleep health by major employers and co-workers who have returned to the workplace or continue to work at home or in hybrid models. In a media session at CES, NSF released new data showing insufficient sleep has a negative impact on the work productivity of 60% of Americans. The reported effects of poor sleep on people’s performance also touch everyday life, with more than 2/3 (69%) of Americans reporting difficult thinking clearly, and six in ten having problems handling their workload and avoiding mistakes (60% for each, respectively) if they’ve had poor sleep. “Whether an organization employs 20 people or 200,000, focusing on sleep health and safety in their own community of colleagues can benefit performance and productivity at work and in daily living,” added Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, NSF’s SVP of Research and Scientific Affairs.

About the National Sleep Foundation

theNSF.org │ SleepHealthJournal.org

Marks Ten Years Since First Championing the Promise of SleepTech® at CES

Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

Washington, D.C. (January 3, 2025): National Sleep Foundation (NSF) the global voice of sleep health, celebrates its 35^th anniversary year while at CES® in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 7-10, 2025. As approaches to sleep health continue to advance, NSF champions the promise of SleepTech® for improving the public’s sleep health and wellness. 2025 also marks 10 years since NSF’s first SleepTech Summit at CES.

NSF is committed to making science-based SleepTech more accessible and convenient so anyone and everyone can be their Best Slept Self®. “In addition to being a longstanding leader in sleep health, for the past 10 years, NSF has prominently featured the promise of SleepTech and its potential to help democratize sleep health and make it more accessible for the public,” said John Lopos, NSF CEO.

NSF will host a Media Power Session on January 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM PT at Mandalay Bay and will make announcements on:

A forward-looking view of the sleep health ecosystem in 2025 and beyond
New collaborations in research and education
New program opportunities to benefit the public and sleep health advocacy

As part of NSF’s role in sleep technology, at CES, NSF will showcase winners and finalists from its 2024 SleepTech® Award which recognizes the year’s most innovative achievement in sleep technology. NSF will also feature members of its SleepTech® Network, a community of innovators across the sleep technology industry. NSF itself will be featured leading a panel on the AARP stage about SleepTech and brain health, as part of its role in the AgeTech Collaborative.

For 35 years, NSF has educated the public about the importance of sleep for health and well-being. NSF has promoted positive sleep health through published expert recommendations, consensus guidelines, technology standards, and easy-to-use tips and tools to improve sleep. For more information about NSF, visit www.theNSF.org. For more information on NSF’s Media Power Session at CES, visit https://www.ces.tech/media-guides/media-days/.

About the National Sleep Foundation

Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

Washington, D.C. (November 22, 2024): National Sleep Foundation (NSF) today announced the selection of Susan Redline, MD, MPH, as the next Editor-in-Chief for its award-winning journal Sleep Health. Dr. Redline is Peter C. Farrell Professor of Sleep Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Redline will succeed Orfeu M. Buxton, PhD, Elizabeth Fenton Susman Professor of Biobehavioral Health and Director of the Sleep, Health & Society Collaboratory at Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Redline’s contributions to the field of population sleep health are numerous and closely align to NSF’s public focus and mission. Dr. Redline’s research focuses on the role of genetics, early life developmental factors, and environmental exposures on sleep health. Additionally, Redline studies how social and environmental factors shape sleep health disparities, which, in turn, drive chronic health disparities; and the role of sleep interventions in improving health, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive disorders.

“I am honored to be named the next Editor-in-Chief of Sleep Health,” said Redline. “I look forward to continuing the Journal’s track record of publishing and promoting multi-disciplinary research to improve the public’s sleep health.”

“NSF is deeply grateful to Dr. Buxton for his commitment and thanks him for his dedication to the Journal and its editorial community these past five years. Under his stewardship, the Journal has published landmark articles that have grown the body of evidence to advance sleep health,” said John Lopos, NSF CEO. “NSF welcomes Dr. Redline to the helm of Sleep Health. As a distinguished leader in the sleep health research community with a passion for understanding and eradicating sleep health disparities, Dr. Redline will be an excellent Editor-in-Chief for our Journal,” added Lopos.

Current and second Editor-in-Chief, Orfeu Buxton added, “Sleep Health has enjoyed steady growth in submissions and quality for a decade. I have every confidence in Dr. Redline’s leadership, judgement, and expertise as Sleep Health continues to grow in impact.”

A recipient of the Best New Journal/SMT Award from the Association of American Publishers, Sleep Health has a 2023 5-Year Impact Factor of 4.4 and is ranked in the 76^th percentile of behavioral neuroscience journals. Sleep Health is published by Elsevier, the leader in medical and scientific scholarly publishing. For more information about Sleep Health, visit sleephealthjournal.org.

About the National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. theNSF.org │SleepHealthJournal.org

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

Washington, D.C. (November 22, 2024) – Representatives Madeleine Dean and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania have introduced House Resolution 1565 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Developed by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and with additional data and statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, and the National Safety Council, the resolution supports the designation of “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week” to raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving and encourages people across the United States to take preventable steps against drowsy driving.

Drowsy driving is impaired driving. Like drunk, drugged, and distracted driving, drowsy driving is a significant threat to road safety. Data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and other studies show drowsy driving is responsible for one out of every five deadly motor vehicle crashes and one out of every 10 motor vehicle crashes causing hospitalization. Other estimates total more than 300,000 police-reported crashes, 100,000 injuries, and 6,400 deaths in the U.S. annually.

“NSF applauds Congress for recognizing Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Drowsy driving is impaired driving and a public health concern that everyone can take steps to prevent.” said John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “It starts by getting enough quality sleep to be your Best Slept Self®, which is important for our safe driving and responsibility to each other on the road.”

“Drowsy Driving Prevention Week raises awareness and educates the public on preventable measures to avoid drowsy driving that will save lives. Too many lives have been lost to drowsy driving. We must make our roads safer for everyone,” said Rep. Dean.

For more information about National Sleep Foundation’s leadership in sleep health and Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, visit www.theNSF.org.

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About the National Sleep Foundation

Drowsy driving is a serious issue affecting both teens and adults across the U.S. According to NSF’s 2023 national survey, one in six teen drivers—around 1.7 million people—admitted to driving while too tired to keep their eyes open within their first two years behind the wheel. Throughout an entire lifespan, about 60% of adults report drowsy driving.

While any driver can be at risk of drowsy driving, some groups of drivers are at greater risk for drowsy-driving crashes.

Research Highlights Six Key Groups

Young drivers — especially males under 25 years old.
Older drivers who have difficulty sleeping, have sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea or take medications causing drowsiness.
Shift workers and people with long work hours — working the night shift can increase your risk of drowsy driving by nearly six times. Rotating-shift workers and people working more than 60 hours a week need to be particularly careful.
Commercial drivers — especially long-haul drivers. At least 15% of all heavy truck crashes involve fatigue and sleep-deprived driving.
People with undiagnosed or untreated disorders — People with untreated obstructive sleep apnea have up to seven times the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
Business travelers — who spend long hours driving or may be jet-lagged from a previous trip.

All drivers and passengers should be on the lookout for drowsy driving. Before you get behind the wheel, take a moment to check your alertness and if you’re ready to drive. If you are not getting enough quality sleep to be your Best Slept Self^® you may not be fit to operate a motor vehicle.

For more information about drowsy driving, visit the Drowsy Driving Prevention Week page to learn more.

SleepFirst™: National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Safety Campaign

Did you know that sleepiness and driving are a dangerous combination?

Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Like alcohol, sleepiness can slow down your reaction time, decrease awareness of your surroundings, impair judgment, and increase your risk of crashing which could harm yourself and others.

Simply put, being alert and awake behind the wheel is just as important as not being under the influence. Don’t operate a motor vehicle when you are sleep-deprived.

Adequate Sleep and Planning

Being drowsy or falling asleep at the wheel is preventable! Here are some things you can do before hitting the road for short trips, such as going to the grocery store, commuting to work, a visit to your family, or a longer journey like traveling to a neighboring state:

Get the recommended amount of sleep the night before your trip.
While the feeling of a good night’s sleep varies from individual to individual, the National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for most adults and 8-10 hours for most teens.
Get the sleep you need by being your Best Slept Self^®.
- During the day, get bright light exposure, exercise, and eat meals at consistent times.
- In the evening, avoid heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol before bed. Try using a consistent wind-down routine and create a sleep-friendly environment.
Plan long trips with a companion.
Why not share the travel experience with a companion passenger who can not only help look for early warning signs of driver fatigue but also help with driving when needed? A good driving companion is someone who stays awake to talk to you and will be aware of your alertness.
Schedule regular stops for your trip, every 100 miles or two hours.
Plan your trips ahead of time by plotting out the rest stops or points of interest along your route. Stopping every two hours gets you out from behind the wheel to rest a little or stretch to improve blood circulation.
Avoid alcohol and be aware of any medications (over-the-counter and prescribed) that may cause drowsiness and impair performance.
Alcohol interacts with fatigue, increasing its effects — just like drinking on an empty stomach.
Consult your physician or a local sleep disorders center if you have symptoms.
If you are experiencing frequent daytime sleepiness or often have difficulty staying awake while driving, such as at a stoplight or a long commute, talk to a doctor for possible diagnosis and treatment of a sleep disorder.

For more information about drowsy driving, visit the Drowsy Driving Prevention Week page to learn more.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

National Sleep Foundation Study Results Show America’s Sleep-Deprived Drivers Can Plan Better for Safety

New data indicate alarming trends in how Americans view drowsy driving, which could put many at risk

Washington, D.C. (October 31, 2024) – Ahead of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week (Nov. 3 – 9), the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) today released the results of a new survey of American adults highlighting their behaviors to reduce drowsy driving. Only four in 10 adults are likely to find alternatives to driving when they haven’t gotten enough sleep, while nearly seven in 10 adults are likely to find alternatives to driving after having a few drinks.

Drowsy driving is a public health and safety issue. NSF data have shown that as many as six in 10 adult drivers admit to having driven a car when they were so tired they had difficulty keeping their eyes open. Similarly, in their first two years of driving, one in six teens have already driven while drowsy.

National Sleep Foundation’s 2024 Drowsy Driving Survey was fielded as part of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, NSF’s annual campaign to help Americans get the sleep they need and reduce the number of drivers who get behind the wheel while sleep-deprived. NSF urges everyone to Sleep First. Drive Alert.®

Additional key results from the survey showed:

Only half of adults are likely to delay or change plans to avoid driving without enough sleep, while over eight in 10 adults are likely to delay or change plans after a few drinks.
Just 50% of adults are likely to avoid driving when they haven’t gotten the sleep they need, while almost 90% of adults are likely to avoid driving when they’ve had a few drinks.
More people have urged someone not to drive because of drinking than for being too sleepy or tired.

“NSF data consistently show that Americans do not think drowsy driving is as dangerous as other forms of impaired driving, like drunk driving,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs, NSF. “We want the public to know that sleeping only three to four hours before driving is like having a few drinks and encourage everyone to have a backup plan in place for when they are not alert enough to drive safely, like choosing rideshare or taxi options or calling friends and family to help you and others stay safe,” added Dzierzewski.

There are more steps people can take to help prevent drowsy driving, including:

Get the recommended amount of sleep before you drive.
- While the feeling of a good night’s sleep varies between individuals, NSF recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night for adults and eight to 10 hours for teens of driving age.
Plan your long trips with a companion.
- A companion passenger can not only help look for early warning signs of drowsiness but can also help with driving when needed. A good driving companion is someone who stays awake to talk to you and will be aware of your alertness.
Schedule regular stops for your trip, every 100 miles or two hours.
Be mindful of warning signs of drowsy driving.
- Frequent blinking and yawning or having difficulty with lane and speed control are common signs that you may be driving while drowsy.

“At NSF, we’re dedicated to helping everyone prioritize their sleep for health and safety,” said John Lopos, CEO, NSF. “Getting the sleep you need to be your Best Slept Self® can help keep you and others safe on the road when you drive. Being awake and alert in the driver’s seat is as important as not being under the influence, so don’t hesitate to change your plans when you shouldn’t drive.”

NSF independently produces Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® and all related official educational content. Drowsy Driving Prevention Week 2024 sponsors include Waymo, Schneider National, General Motors, Samsung Health, and Higi. Visit the NSF website to see a full list of collaborators for the 2024 Drowsy Driving Prevention Week campaign, including MADD, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, Governors Highway Safety, and Comfort Keepers.

Join NSF to help prevent drowsy driving by sharing the campaign’s message on social media using the hashtag #SleepFirst. NSF’s drowsy driving prevention resources are available on www.theNSF.org.

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About the National Sleep Foundation

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

Breaking Report: The Impact of Current National Politics on Population Sleep Health

National Sleep Foundation’s Analysis of Americans’ Sleep during the 2024 Presidential Election

Washington, D.C. (October 29, 2024) – The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) today released a breaking report analyzing the impact of the presidential election on the nation’s sleep health. 17% of all adults—estimated to represent a striking 45 million Americans—said the election negatively impacted their sleep.

Adults who reported a negative impact on their sleep due to the election had shorter weekend (or non-workday) sleep durations and poorer self-reported sleep quality than adults who did not report a negative impact of the presidential election. The negative impact of the 2024 presidential election on sleep was sweeping and observed across all groups and was not different across political party affiliation.

“The dynamics of stressful societal events like elections and election day, can adversely affect the public’s mood, and in turn sleep health, which is critical for health and well-being,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, Senior Vice President, Research and Scientific Affairs, NSF. “This reinforces the importance of addressing sleep health during periods of high stress.”

Recognizing and practicing healthy sleep behaviors, such as those in National Sleep Foundation’s Best Slept Self^® framework, may help buffer against effects of sleep disruptions. Additionally, with nearly one in five U.S. adults during the 2024 presidential election reporting its negative impact on their sleep, presidential candidates, campaign managers, and mass media journalists should consider unintended public health consequences when designing and executing campaign tactics or providing campaign coverage and analysis which could have negative effects on sleep health, broader health, well-being, and safety.

For more sleep health information, visit www.theNSF.org.

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About the National Sleep Foundation

Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
540-850-7827
skohn@theNSF.org

Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2024): The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) named Loop Earplugs, UBlockout, and Neurovalens as winners of the 2024 SleepTech® Award. NSF’s SleepTech Award recognizes the year’s most innovative efforts in advancing sleep technology and is a feature of NSF’s ongoing work to encourage and celebrate efforts when sleep science and insight are rapidly incorporated into accessible health products and services.

The SleepTech Award is given in two categories: Sleep Health and Wellness, which includes products and services consumers can use as part of their daily routine for sleep and health; and Sleep Disorders and Conditions, which includes solutions that seek to improve the patient experience for diagnosis and treatment.

Loop Earplugs’ Loop Dream™ and UBlockout’s Ultimate Blackout Shade both are the winners in the Sleep Health and Wellness category. As described by Loop Earplugs, the Loop Dream is designed to distribute pressure and improve comfort for side sleepers while helping reduce background noise with 27dB (SNR) of noise reduction. As described by UBlockout, the Ultimate Blackout Shade is a custom-made, blackout shade solution with smart technology designed for easy DIY installation.

Neurovalens, the winner in the Sleep Disorders and Conditions category, describes their product Modius Sleep as an FDA-cleared non-drug, non-invasive medical device to treat chronic insomnia through electrical vestibular nerve stimulation (VeNS).

“This year’s applicant pool and results were unprecedented for NSF’s SleepTech® Award. In the consumer space, the independent judges chose to recognize two solutions that represent how accessible tech innovations can both align with basic sleep health practices and come from forms other than electronics or software. In the clinical space, the judges were encouraged by alternative approaches that can help some people with sleep conditions like insomnia.” said John Lopos, National Sleep Foundation CEO.

“We’re honored and proud to receive the National Sleep Foundation’s SleepTech® Award for Loop Dream, our first earplug designed specifically for sleep. This recognition reinforces our mission to design innovative earwear that empowers people to live fully and choose how they hear the world. We can’t wait to continue pushing the boundaries of sleep health and well-being.” said Maarten Bodewes, Co-Founder Loop Earplugs.

“UBlockout is delighted to be recognized for its sleep innovation in our 100% blackout shade solution and the opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of light on sleep performance,” said Luke Boorman, UBlockout CEO.

“We’re honored to be the recipient of the 2024 National Sleep Foundation SleepTech® Award,” said Dr. Jason McKeown, CEO of Neurovalens. “This recognition supports our commitment to advancing the treatment of sleep disorders through safe, non-invasive, and proven neurostimulation technology. It’s a reflection of the dedication and passion of our entire team, who works tirelessly to improve the lives of those suffering from chronic insomnia.”

NSF would also like to acknowledge SleepTech Award finalists in each category: MyWaves Technologies, LTD, and rest by ümay in the Sleep Health and Wellness category and Optalert, Noctrix Health Solutions, Inc., and Withings Health Solutions in the Sleep Disorders and Conditions category.

For over 30 years, NSF has educated the public about the importance of sleep health to overall health and well-being. NSF has published consensus papers, guidelines, and standards for positive sleep health as well as easy-to-use tools and tips to improve sleep. NSF is committed to making science-based sleep tech more accessible and convenient so anyone and everyone can be their Best Slept Self®.

For more information about the National Sleep Foundation, visit www.theNSF.org.

About the National Sleep Foundation
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice.
theNSF.org │SleepHealthJournal.org

Living with the symptoms of a sleep disorder can leave you feeling Beyond Tired®. Learn more from the NSF here.

When is extreme tiredness more than just exhaustion? Know the signs and symptoms of narcolepsy, plus diagnosis and treatment options.

Excessive fatigue and daytime sleepiness aren’t always just the result of a few nights of poor sleep. These symptoms could be a sign that you have narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder that can cause sudden, strong urges to sleep, even in unexpected situations.

Learn about the risk factors and symptoms of narcolepsy, along with how to get a diagnosis and what treatment options are available.

What is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. The boundary between sleep and wakefulness can become blurred in narcolepsy, causing someone to enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep immediately, rather than progressing through earlier stages of the typical sleep cycle.

People with narcolepsy may wake up in the morning feeling well-rested, but they’re unable to sustain that alertness throughout the day. As a result, people with narcolepsy often feel excessively fatigued and frequently fall asleep during daytime hours, even when they’re engaged in conversation, work, or other activities.

Narcolepsy affects men and women equally. Symptoms usually start to appear in childhood or young adulthood; however, the onset of narcolepsy can occur at any life stage.

Narcolepsy can make it hard to cope with daily life and can often lead to emotional distress. People with narcolepsy may struggle to maintain academic, professional, and social activities.

Are There Risk Factors for Narcolepsy?

Most cases of narcolepsy are thought to be due to a lack of a brain chemical called orexin (or hypocretin), which promotes wakefulness and helps to regulate sleep. Researchers currently believe that people are born with a genetic predisposition to develop narcolepsy; eventually, often during childhood or teenage years, a triggering event may cause the onset of narcolepsy. After that, the body’s immune system becomes confused and mistakenly attacks the brain cells that produce orexin which then leads to symptoms of narcolepsy.

Possible triggering events include hormonal changes, major stress, a brain injury, or an infection.

What are the Symptoms of Narcolepsy?

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

The most common narcolepsy symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) which refers to an inability to stay alert during normal daytime hours. Individuals will feel drowsy while awake, despite how much sleep they get at night. The sleepiness can be a subtle, constant feeling of drowsiness or so powerful that someone with narcolepsy can fall asleep suddenly, even when they’re in the middle of a conversation or a task. These sudden bouts of sleep are referred to as “sleep attacks.” These attacks may last a few seconds or a few minutes. In between sleep attacks, some people with narcolepsy may show normal levels of alertness, particularly if engaged in an activity that holds their attention.

While everyone with narcolepsy has EDS, some may experience it differently. EDS may present as feeling irritable, having trouble concentrating, experiencing memory problems, or feeling extremely fatigued.

Cataplexy

Cataplexy is a brief but sudden loss of muscle tone that can cause a number of physical changes. Cataplexy can cause slurred speech, muscle weakness, or even collapse. In children, cataplexy often manifests as small facial tics, like raised eyebrows, mouth movements, lip biting or chewing, and more.

Cataplexy is usually triggered by strong emotions, like laughter, stress, or anger. Cataplexy occurs when the disrupted barrier sleep-wake lets the muscle paralysis that occurs during REM sleep intrude into wakefulness. This particular narcolepsy symptom may appear weeks or even years after EDS. People with narcolepsy don’t all experience cataplexy at the same rate or frequency (some may only have cataplexy a couple of times, while others may experience many episodes in one day).

Cataplexy may be misdiagnosed as a seizure disorder if it is the first symptom of narcolepsy to appear. The difference between cataplexy that occurs in narcolepsy as opposed to with seizure disorders is that people with narcolepsy remain conscious during cataplexy.

Although cataplexy can be disruptive, episodes only last a few minutes at most and resolve on their own.

Hallucinations and Sleep Paralysis

People with narcolepsy may experience sleep paralysis while falling asleep or waking up. Similar to cataplexy, during sleep paralysis individuals cannot move but remain conscious. During sleep paralysis or during sleep-wake transition periods without sleep paralysis, individuals with narcolepsy may have strong, dream-like hallucinations as they’re falling asleep (called “hypnagogic” hallucinations) or waking up (called “hypnopompic” hallucinations).

Interrupted Nighttime Sleep

Ironically, while people with narcolepsy feel fatigued during the day, about half of all people with narcolepsy report trouble sleeping at night. Someone with narcolepsy may have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.

How to Diagnose Narcolepsy

To diagnose narcolepsy, individuals will likely be asked to keep a sleep journal for one to two weeks. They’ll also undergo a physical exam to rule out other neurological conditions, and their healthcare provider will ask for a full medical history.

Two specialized sleep study tests are required for a narcolepsy diagnosis: a polysomnogram (PSG) and a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). A PSG is an overnight recording of brain, muscle and breathing activity to help determine when REM sleep takes place. An MSLT assesses daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly a person falls asleep during 4 to 5 nap opportunities and whether they enter REM sleep.

What are Treatments for Narcolepsy?

Medications and lifestyle changes are recommended to improve symptoms of narcolepsy.

Healthcare providers will often prescribe medicine to stimulate the central nervous system and help someone with narcolepsy stay awake during the day. Potential stimulants may include modafinil, armodafinil, dexamphetamine, methylphenidate, solriamfetol or pitolisant. In addition, both sodium oxybate and lower-sodium oxybate are now FDA-approved for treating both excessive sleepiness and cataplexy.

Healthcare providers may also prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medications suppress REM sleep and help reduce symptoms of cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.

Lifestyle changes can also be effective in reducing symptoms of narcolepsy. Taking frequent naps (15-20 minute duration scheduled throughout the day), sticking to a regular bedtime routine with adequate time to sleep, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, and other methods of practicing good sleep habits can all help lessen the symptoms of narcolepsy.

While narcolepsy can be a worrisome condition, recognizing symptoms early can help secure a diagnosis and treatment options so you can enjoy a significantly improved quality of life.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Stephanie Kohn
540-850-7827
skohn@thensf.org

Washington, D.C. (September 30, 2024): Today, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) announced Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® 2024 will be held November 3-9. NSF encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when alert and refreshed. NSF’s annual campaign goal is to help the public understand the risks of this form of impaired driving and reduce the number of drivers who choose to drive while sleep deprived.

NSF data show 95 percent of Americans think drowsy driving is risky, but a majority of drivers do it anyway. 6 in 10 drivers (62%) have driven a car when they were so tired that they had a hard time keeping their eyes open, a projected 150+ million US motorists. Additionally, risk starts early for teen drivers. In their first two years of driving, 1 in 6 teens have already driven while drowsy.

American adults also say daily obligations keep them from getting enough sleep. Nearly 6 in 10 adults (58%) say job or school demands keep them from getting the sleep they need to drive alert. “Drowsy driving is impaired driving. It’s a risk to public health and safety that can impact anyone on our roads. NSF encourages all drivers to prioritize sleep and drive only when alert and refreshed,” said NSF CEO, John Lopos. “Drowsy driving is preventable. There are important steps we all can take that help ensure we’re alert behind the wheel to reduce the risk of a crash from drowsiness,” continued Lopos.

NSF independently produces Drowsy Driving Prevention Week and all related official educational content. NSF’s drowsy driving prevention resources are available on www.theNSF.org.

About the National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is an independent nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. theNSF.org │SleepHealthJournal.org

You may have heard the term, but do you know what it means? Understanding the importance of REM helps explain why a solid night’s sleep is so important.

Most people climb into bed at night without ever thinking about the different stages of sleep that their brain and body cycle through or how these stages can affect their health. But understanding the role of REM sleep is important. This particular stage of sleep has a major impact on your memory, mental focus, and mood.

In this article you’ll learn about what REM is, why the REM portion of your sleep is so important, and how to make sure you’re achieving the right amount every night.

Know Your Sleep Stages

Ever wonder why you are tired despite getting a full night’s sleep? Maybe you didn’t spend enough time in the deep sleep stage of your sleep. Sleep is generally divided into two stages: REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement). NREM is further split into three parts: starting to fall asleep, light sleep, and deep sleep. During deep sleep, your breathing slows down, your blood pressure drops, and your energy is renewed.

During a typical night, your sleep alternates through cycles of REM and NREM sleep about every 90 minutes. The REM stage accounts for approximately 25 percent of sleep time, while the NREM stage takes up the other 75 percent. If you get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night, you might move through five to six full sleep cycles. Because sleep cycles begin and end with lighter sleep, you may feel more refreshed and rested if you wake up at the end of a cycle, instead of in the middle of a cycle when you might be in a deep sleep.

Understanding REM Sleep

While you’re in the REM stage of sleep, your eyes move rapidly (giving this stage its name), darting back and forth under your closed lids. It is during this state that most of your vivid dreaming takes place. At the same time, your muscles become temporarily paralyzed—important so that you don’t attempt to act out those dreams. REM sleep involves more brain activity than NREM and is considered a more “wakeful” state, as your heart rate and blood pressure increase to levels close to what you experience when you are awake.

Why Is REM Sleep Important?

REM sleep plays a significant role in helping your brain consolidate and process new information. REM sleep also helps to ensure better mental concentration and mood regulation, two things that are critical to both your daily work performance and overall quality of life.

The negative effects from lack of REM sleep are serious: Without this critical sleep stage, your overall health including brain function and cellular repair can suffer. Poor REM sleep may be due to sleep disorders such as insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea, which causes you to wake during the night.

Improving Your REM Sleep

By focusing on getting a solid night of sleep, you will likely improve your chances of getting a sufficient amount of the all-important REM stage, too. Seven to nine hours of sleep is recommended for most adults. In addition to ensuring adequate time to sleep, by setting regular bed and wake times you can help your body anticipate and optimize the sleep period.

How to make sure you get the sleep you need? Wind down gradually in the evening, without TV or computers to distract you with their active content and sleep-inhibiting blue light. Limit caffeine and alcohol before bed to improve your overall sleep. To prevent middle of the night interruptions that can disrupt your REM sleep, maintain a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Stephanie Kohn
540-850-7827
skohn@thensf.org

Sleep Health®: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation Seeks New Editor-in-Chief

Washington, D.C. (July 16, 2024): The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is accepting applications for the Editor-in-Chief of Sleep Health®, the Journal of the National Sleep Foundation.

Sleep Health is a peer-reviewed journal published six times per year. The Journal was awarded the Best New Journal/STM by the Association of American Publishers. It is indexed in MEDLINE/PubMed, Emerging Source Citation Index, Scopus, Ovid, EMBASE, Emcare, and Europe PubMed Central. The Journal has an Editorial Board, Art Editor and ombudsman. Its aims, scope, and additional information are found at SleepHealthJournal.org.

The Editor’s term is 5 years, with the possibility of one additional term (10 years maximum). The Editor will assume the position on January 1, 2025. NSF will provide an annual stipend and support for an editorial assistant. Upon request, NSF will provide information related to publication schedule, page counts, manuscript management, and office administration.

“We are sincerely thankful to our outgoing Editor-in-Chief Orfeu M. Buxton, PhD for the exemplary leadership and culture he maintained at Sleep Health during his tenure. Under his watch, Professor Buxton has ensured our journal stands out as a platform for excellent emerging research, global multidisciplinary perspectives, and priority areas for the field, including sleep health equity, which is embedded in NSF’s mission to improve health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy,” said John Lopos, CEO of National Sleep Foundation.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the scientific integrity, review process, and editorial stewardship of the Journal. Key responsibilities include the following:

Set and implement a vision for the Journal as the global resource for sleep health.
Lead the editorial process to ensure a fair and unbiased review of original submissions.
Work collaboratively with the NSF Board of Directors, NSF staff, and publisher (Elsevier).
Recruit and maintain an Editorial Board and panel of expert reviewers.
Ensure that the Journal champions diversity of opinion, disciplines, and geographic representation.
Actively solicit high-quality manuscript submissions.
Manage processes for manuscript submission, review, and author communication.
Meet publication timelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

The applicant will have previous editorial experience and broad knowledge of sleep health. The Editor must have a keen ability to discern significant developments and trends in sleep health. They must also articulate a clear vision for the Journal’s future. Applicants should have an advanced degree (e.g., MD, DO, or PhD) and have achieved significant peer recognition for their contributions to the fields of sleep research, sleep medicine, public health, science, social sciences, or related academic disciplines.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Letter of Intent due by 3 pm ET, Friday, September 13, 2024: Please submit a letter of intent to apply to NSF@SleepHealthJournal.org using email subject “Editor LOI [first and last name].”

Application due by 3 pm ET, Friday, October 4, 2024: Please submit the following application materials to NSF@SleepHealthJournal.org using email subject “Editor Application [first and last name].”

Curriculum Vitae. Provide a complete and updated curriculum vitae.
Personal Statement & Plan. Provide a statement of (a) your vision for the future of Sleep Health, and (b) your five-year action plan.
Experience. Describe your editorial and peer-review experience.
Professional Responsibilities. Describe your current professional responsibilities (e.g., 20% teaching, 40% clinical, 40% research).
Commitment Level. Describe the amount of discretionary time (e.g., professional time) you would be able to dedicate to the Journal.
Institutional Support Letter. Provide evidence of institutional support for your accepting a role as Editor (e.g., Dept Chair or Dean).
Recommendation Letters. Provide recommendation letters describing your professional and personal qualifications (3 letters maximum).
Conflict of Interest. Complete the NSF Conflict of Interest Form (to be provided upon NSF’s receipt of the Letter of Intent).

The Editorial Selection Task Force will interview shortlisted candidates between October 4 and October 18, 2024.

NSF strongly encourages applicants who would enrich the diversity of our organization to apply. To learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion see the organization’s Statement on Equality and the Need for Change at https://www.thensf.org/a-national-sleep-foundation-statement-on-equality-and-the-need-for-change/.

The National Sleep Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence or place of business.

About the National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. www.theNSF.org | www.SleepHealthJournal.org

Media contact:
Stephanie Kohn
540-850-7827
skohn@thensf.org

Washington, DC (May 30, 2024): National Sleep Foundation (NSF) announced today that Michael V. Vitiello, PhD, has received its Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the organization’s highest honor, recognizing an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of sleep health. The award celebrates the recipient’s connection to NSF’s non-profit, public health mission through their extensive professional contributions to the field and to the work of the organization.

“NSF is honored to present Dr. Vitiello with our Lifetime Achievement Award. His work as a researcher in sleep and circadian rhythms in older adults has been pivotal in the field,” said Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi, Board Chair of the National Sleep Foundation.

Dr. Vitiello is Professor Emeritus, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at the University of Washington, a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow (Health Sciences) of the Gerontological Society of America. He has previously served as Chair of the NIH’s Sleep Disorders Advisory Board (SDRAB), President of the Sleep Research Society (SRS), and Scientific Program Chair of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS). He has served on numerous committees and advisory boards, including serving on the Board of the National Sleep Foundation (2004-2009). He is also Editor-in-Chief of Sleep Medicine Reviews and has served as an editorial board member of numerous other scientific journals.

Dr. Vitiello was a member of numerous NSF Consensus Panels including NSF’s landmark 2015 Sleep Duration Guidelines, and 2016 Sleep Quality Recommendations as well as panels on Sleep Timing and Variability and NSF’s validated Sleep Satisfaction Tool. Dr. Vitiello currently chairs the National Sleep Foundation’s Population Health and Methodology Committee and recently was a panelist at the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep and Aging Conference. Dr. Vitiello has researched the science of sleep and aging for more than 40 years and is the author of 600+ scientific articles, reviews, chapters, editorials and abstracts, with his work being cited more than 35,000 times.

Learn more about the National Sleep Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

About the National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. theNSF.org │SleepHealthJournal.org

Technology is a great tool to help keep us informed, connected, and entertained. These days, it sometimes feels like we have an electronic device permanently attached to our bodies given how often we spend time scrolling, searching, watching, playing, and posting. Unfortunately, there can be unwanted effects of electronic use: screen time, especially at night, can disrupt sleep in kids and teens.

The use of screens by children and adolescents can disrupt sleep.

Sleep is an essential process our brain and body use to recharge and recover, this is especially true for children and teens, who are undergoing rapid growth and daily development. Children and teens need anywhere between 8 and 13 hours of sleep a night depending on their age. But, screen use, especially exciting and engaging content before bed, can negatively impact the quality and quantity of children’s sleep.

NSF convened an expert group of researchers to develop consensus guidelines for screen use and sleep. We found that screen use across the day can impair sleep health for both children and teens, but that viewing content before bed was particularly bad for sleep. The good news is, that there are things your family can do to help lessen some negative effects of screen use on sleep.

What can help reduce the effects of screen use on sleep health?

Here are some things you can do to reduce the problems screen use may cause for children’s sleep:

Talk with children about how using tech and screens can impact sleep
Set time limits around screen use, especially at night
Supervise content at night: avoid stimulating or upsetting material
Implement early, regular, and relaxing bedtime routines without screens
Model appropriate nighttime screen use yourself

Decisions around appropriate screen use involve the whole family.

When it comes to the use of technology and screens, every family is unique and knows what will fit best for their own dynamics. Deciding how and when screens are used in the home is an important part of helping everyone in the family prioritize their sleep health.

Appropriate screen use is just one part of healthy sleep. Be sure to check out NSF’s Best Slept Self® tips to learn how you can make small changes to daytime and nighttime activities and improve sleep health.

Making small changes to your family’s routine during the day and night, including how and when screens are used, can help everyone get the sleep they need to be their Best Slept Self®.

Manage Screen Use for Healthy Sleep in Children

Learn more about screen use and ways to improve your child’s sleep health.

Download Screen Use Infographic

Media contact:
Stephanie Kohn
540-850-7827
skohn@thensf.org

National Sleep Foundation Highlights the Effects of Screen Use on Children’s Sleep

Behavioral strategies and interventions may reduce the negative effects of screen use on sleep health

Washington, D.C. (May 29, 2024): The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) sounded a call for appropriate use of screens based on current evidence of their effect on sleep health in children and teens. The updated response follows a consensus report published in Sleep Health®, the Journal of the National Sleep Foundation, under the original title The Impact of Screen Use on Sleep Health Across the Lifespan: A National Sleep Foundation Consensus Statement.

The NSF advances the public’s knowledge, behaviors, and practices by issuing guidelines and recommendations for sleep health. NSF established a multidisciplinary expert panel of 16 internationally recognized researchers to develop a consensus recommendation for screen use and sleep health, reflecting an extensive analysis of 574 peer-reviewed manuscripts on the subject.

The expert panel found that, in general, screen use impairs sleep health for both children and adolescents. In particular, the content of screen use before bed can have a negative effect on sleep. Finally, the expert panel affirmed behavioral strategies and interventions can reduce the potentially negative effects of screen use on sleep health.

“NSF is dedicated to improving sleep health for the public. Understanding what can negatively affect sleep health in youth and how to promote sleep health can set children and teenagers up for positive sleep health that can carry into adulthood,” said Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi, MD, PhD, Chair of NSF’s Board of Directors.

“The expert panel examined available scientific evidence, paying close attention to studies that examined whether, how, and for whom screen use might negatively impact sleep health. We found that stimulating content of screen use, particularly at night, has a negative effect on sleep health in young people,” said NSF Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs, Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD.

Screen use in youth is widespread. Best practices to reduce the impact of screens on sleep include:

Talking with children about how using tech and screens can impact sleep
Setting time limits around screen use, especially at night
Supervising content at night: avoid stimulating or upsetting material
Implementing early, regular, and relaxing bedtime routines without screens
Modeling appropriate nighttime screen use yourself

NSF encourages parents and caregivers to make decisions about children’s screen use that work best for their family dynamic. Determining what constitutes appropriate screen use should be based on family-specific information. Generally, incorporating small changes into your family’s routine during the day and night can help everyone get the sleep they need to be their Best Slept Self®.

Not getting enough sleep, having poor sleep quality, or having inconsistent sleep schedules is associated with adverse health outcomes. For more information about sleep health, visit theNSF.org/sleep-health-topics.

Learn more about screen use and ways to improve children’s sleep health.

Download Screen Use Infographic

Information on the Effects of Screen Use on Children’s Sleep

About the National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is a 501(c)3 independent nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving health and well- being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. theNSF.org

When it comes to sleep, quantity is important—and so is quality. You might be getting enough hours of sleep, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the highest quality sleep.

Most adults need somewhere between seven and nine hours a night to wake up feeling like their Best Slept Self®, and a lot depends on exactly what happens during those hours. The quality of your sleep ensures that you get the essential physical, mental, and emotional benefits you need from your slumber. Sleep quality is an important component of sleep health along with sleep duration, sleep satisfaction, and sleep consistency (regularity).

Defining Sleep Quality

Most people can rate their sleep as good, bad, or something in between. In fact, you can directly observe many aspects of sleep quality. How you describe your sleep or the information that sleep tests and technology can capture, mostly fits into four different elements:

Sleep Latency: how long it takes you to fall asleep
Awakenings: the number of awakenings you have during the night
Wake After Sleep Onset: the amount of time you are awake after first falling asleep
Sleep Efficiency: the ratio of time asleep to time lying in bed

These four elements were decided by an NSF-led expert group after an extensive review of 277 research studies and previously published in Sleep Health as a consensus guideline. If a scientist, expert, spokesperson, company, agency, or other source is talking about sleep quality without including these kinds of features, they may not be following the most complete and up-to-date recommendations.

How Do You Measure Sleep Quality?

The most recognized way to measure the four elements of sleep quality is the polysomnogram (PSG), which is an in-lab sleep test used in both research and clinical work. Recent technology innovations in at-home sleep tests make it possible to measure nearly all of the same sleep features as the in-lab PSG. Other devices with various sensors can capture some of these same sleep data and can be grouped into the following categories:

Wearables: Technology we wear on our bodies like watches, rings, headbands or hybrid clothing items
Nearables: Devices connected to our beds or in our bedrooms that track our movement, breathing, or body temperature
Airables: Technology that uses wireless signals to monitor sleep through sound, radar, and environmental information

To help ensure sleep products gather the right information about a person’s sleep quality, NSF joined with the Consumer Technology Association® (CTA) to publish a new technology standard in 2024. This fifth standard for sleep devices from NSF and CTA is meant to help developers, product manufacturers, and the public know what’s expected of a product when it says it measures sleep quality.

So, How’s Your Sleep Quality?

Now that you know what sleep quality is, how it is measured, and the role technology can play, let’s ask: how is your sleep quality? All of the dimensions of sleep quality can be self-rated following a night of sleep (sleep latency, awakenings, wake after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency). NSF recommends checklists based on age that can be a good measuring stick. If you answer “yes” to most of the questions below, congrats! you likely have good sleep quality.

Adults (18-64 years old):

Did you fall asleep in 30 minutes or less?
Did you wake up 1 time or less during the night?
In total, were you awake for 20 minutes or less after falling asleep?
Were you mostly asleep while in bed (i.e., 7 out of 8 hours)?

Older Adults (65 years old or more):

Did you fall asleep in 30 minutes or less?
Did you wake up 2 times or less during the night?
In total, were you awake 30 minutes or less after falling asleep?
Were you mostly asleep while in bed (i.e., 7 out of 8 hours)?

Improving Sleep Quality

If you’re concerned that your sleep quality is subpar, don’t fear, there are several things you can do. First, you can work to make some changes to your daytime and nighttime behaviors. NSF’s Best Slept Self® framework includes 6 small steps you can take during the day and at night to help you get the quality sleep you need. For instance, exercising 5 days a week, avoiding technology close to bedtime, and eating your meals at consistent times can help. Learn all the steps you can take to be your Best Slept Self® here.

Second, you can consider adding some proven products or services to your daily lifestyle. Asking some straight-forward questions can help you choose which options may meet your own sleep quality needs:

Are recommendations based on evidence or expert opinion?
Is a product’s claim to measure or improve sleep quality supported by research or data?
Do the product or service claims align with NSF/CTA definitions for sleep quality?

Third, if you’re having specific symptoms or still not getting the sleep you need after using some of these solutions, it may be time to check with a healthcare professional. If you suspect a medical condition is at the root of your sleep problem, your healthcare provider can help find the source and work with you to choose appropriate treatment options that fit your needs.

Improving the quality of your sleep is an important part of waking up feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. NSF is here to help you be your Best Slept Self®.

Sleep Quality At-A-Glance

Learn more about sleep quality and ways to improve your sleep health.

Download Sleep Quality Infographic

For Immediate Release
Contact: NSF Communications
NSFmedia@theNSF.org

Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2024): Today, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) hosted the first Congressional Briefing on sleep health and mental health as part of the organization’s 2024 Sleep Awareness Week® campaign (March 10-16).

The Congressional Briefing, entitled Sleep Health is Mental Health, complements NSF’s evergreen efforts to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of sleep for health and well-being. Members of Congress, staff, and interested stakeholders heard from a multidisciplinary expert panel about the connection between sleep health and mental health. The purpose was to share current evidence and discuss opportunities for actionable solutions, while Congress works towards comprehensive mental health legislation. In July 2023, NSF hosted the first Congressional Briefing on Sleep Health Equity.

The United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis. The US Surgeon General, along with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health, have indicated the “mental health crisis” is among the biggest health challenges currently facing the United States.

NSF’s Congressional Briefing took place alongside other Sleep Awareness Week activities and events including the release of NSF’s latest Sleep in America® Poll results. NSF’s 2024 survey demonstrated the link between teens’ sleep health and mental health, and also found that teens who practiced more healthy sleep behaviors reported lower levels of depressive symptoms. These results build on the NSF’s 2023 survey of U.S. adults, which showed this same strong, two-way connection between sleep health and mental health.

“One of National Sleep Foundation’s purposes is to help equip policymakers and institutions to effect positive change, and sleep health and mental health are public health priorities. People are in crisis, so it’s important we emphasize the clear connection between the two,” said John Lopos, CEO of NSF. “We’re thankful to have had the chance to host the first-ever Congressional Briefing on this topic and prime an essential conversation on the Hill.”

The Briefing began with introductory remarks from members of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus Representatives Buddy Carter (GA), Jamie Raskin (MD), and Paul Tonko (NY) and included provider insights presented by Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi, MD, PhD, Chair of NSF’s Board of Directors, NSF data presented by NSF Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs, Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, and an address from Joshua Gordon, MD, PhD, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, among other speakers.

Also during Sleep Awareness Week® 2024, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD), submitted an extension of remarks to the Congressional Record recognizing the campaign. “As we mark Sleep Awareness Week, recognized this year by the National Sleep Foundation between March 10-16, we must elevate the importance of sleep health to our mental and physical health and confront the sleep disparities that closely correspond to racial and socioeconomic inequalities,” Raskin said. Raskin’s remarks were an extension to House Resolution 232, recognizing the importance of sleep health and expressing support for the designation of Sleep Awareness Week. Every year, NSF independently produces Sleep Awareness Week®, the premier campaign for sleep health.

For more information about the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week® campaign, activities, and research about sleep health and mental health, visit Sleep Awareness Week® 2024.

About the National Sleep Foundation

There’s only one National Sleep Foundation (NSF). NSF is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. TheNSF.org │SleepHealthJournal.org

One sign of getting enough of the quality sleep you need is how you feel during the day. Most people know what they look and feel like when they’re refreshed and ready for the day after a good night’s sleep. How we perform during the daytime is usually a sign of how we’ve slept the night before.

When we’re not satisfied with our sleep, it’s time to start taking small steps during the day and the night that can have a big impact on sleep. So, NSF promotes six basic healthy sleep behaviors that are backed by science and can help anyone and every be their Best Slept Self^®.

Spend time in bright light during the day, natural light or equivalent brightness.
Exercise regularly for a deeper sleep. Aim for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Eat your meals at consistent times day after day.
Avoid heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
Use a consistent routine with a relaxing wind-down to help get the sleep you need (7-9 hours for most adults, with same sleep and wake times).
Put your devices away an hour before bed and sleep in a quiet, cool, and dark environment.

But if you’ve consistently given these steps a chance for a couple of weeks and still don’t feel you’re getting enough of the quality sleep you need, or you notice you have symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, it might be time to seek advice from a healthcare professional. Excessive daytime sleepiness isn’t just about being tired from a poor night’s sleep – it’s a recurring feeling of significant drowsiness that can make it hard to stay alert and awake during the daytime. Sometimes it’s an effect of medicines you are taking, and sometimes it’s even a symptom of a diagnosable condition, including different sleep-wake disorders.

A clinician can help determine if your nighttime sleep disruption or daytime sleepiness are caused by an underlying medical problem. Physical conditions like pain, urinary system issues, and hormonal issues are common sleep disruptors. Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions are well-documented to travel together with sleep problems. And all of these can have the next-day effects of making you feel tired and not your best. Two of the most common sleep disorders, insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; see this link for more information) are clearly connected to feeling tired or sleepy during the day. But there also are more rare sleep disorders that have the hallmark characteristics of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Two of these more rare conditions are narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH). Diagnosing and treating these conditions usually needs expert attention from sleep medicine specialists.

Narcolepsy is a rare neurological disorder affecting the sleep-wake cycle. It’s characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and other symptoms such as cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle control), disrupted nighttime sleep, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Recognizing and diagnosing narcolepsy early is important. Diagnosis involves physical examinations and specialized sleep studies. Although there is no cure, prescription medicines have been approved by the FDA to treat a range of symptoms. FDA approved medicines for narcolepsy include:

modafinil / armodafinil
dextroamphetamine / mixed amphetamine salts
methylphenidate
high-sodium oxybates
low-sodium oxybate
pitolisant
solriamfetol

Along with medicines, living with and managing narcolepsy often includes other approaches like practicing basic healthy sleep behaviors, cognitive-behavioral and psychological support therapies, and even accommodations in workplace or educational settings.

Idiopathic Hypersomnia (IH) is a rare sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness despite sufficient nighttime sleep. It’s different from narcolepsy. When compared to the experience with narcolepsy, people with idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) tend to sleep longer at night and may find it challenging to wake up because of prolonged confusion upon awakening (known as sleep inertia). Even though they may sleep longer, people with IH typically report they don’t feel refreshed after sleep. What’s more, they may take long naps and still feel unrefreshed afterward. Diagnosing IH involves ruling out other conditions and calls for a sleep medicine specialist to perform a sleep study. Treatment focuses on symptom management with medications, and though several types of stimulants are often prescribed off-label for IH, only recently was low-sodium oxybate approved for this use by FDA. It is taken by mouth either once or twice a night. Here too, adopting healthy sleep behaviors that help with consistency and regular sleep patterns can be appropriate for people with IH. Addressing broader behavioral and environmental factors is crucial. More research may show how cognitive-behavioral therapy, sleep regulation, physical activity, scheduled napping, and dietary adjustments complement medication and offer their own benefits in treatment for IH.

This content was produced independently by the National Sleep Foundation and brought to you by Avadel Pharmaceuticals and Jazz Pharmaceuticals, sponsors of the 2024 Sleep Awareness Week® campaign.

A message from our sponsors:

Avadel is a biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming medicine to transform lives.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families.

One of the first things we need to understand is the teenage years are one of the most critical periods of our development. Most teens experience rapid physical growth, their brains go through crucial transformation, they start firming up their social roles and identity, and they build skills for emotional regulation. That’s a lot being packed into a very demanding time of life. With health, teens often find themselves at a crossroads: their habits can take a negative trajectory, or they can form positive routines that can help them thrive now and over the course of their lives.

Adopting good sleep habits is critical during this time in a teen’s life and important for their growth, health, and well-being. So, where does sleep fit in the big picture for teens? For starters, getting enough quality sleep plays a big part in the behavioral and emotional health they’ll need during adolescence and beyond. But, teens have unique sleep needs that are distinct from both children and adults.

How much sleep do teens need?

Teens’ sleep differs from adults’ in that they generally require more hours of sleep to meet the demands of their growth and development. While most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep, teens typically need between 8-10 hours, sometimes up to 11. Here’s a wake-up call: less than 2 out of 10 teens report getting the NSF’s recommended 8-10 hours of sleep on both school days and weekends.

Teens’ unique sleep schedules

Like all of us, teens have a natural “body clock” or “circadian” clock that affects the timing of their sleep, plus a “drive” for sleep that makes them feel tired. In fact, our internal body clock changes during the teen years. Circadian rhythms start to shift later after childhood, causing teens to naturally stay up later at night before feeling tired, and then not feel alert until later in the morning. The take home message here is that it’s normal for teens’ brains and bodies to keep them up later at night and not be quite ready to go until later the next morning (hint: be prepared for this shift to stay in effect until a teen reaches their early 20s).

This natural pattern conflicts with unique social challenges and common practices like early school start times, which are tough on teens for biological reasons. So, in these situations, it’s difficult for teens to get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep because they’re not tired early enough at night to sleep and then have to wake up early in the morning while still biologically sleepy. NSF’s 2024 Sleep in America^® Poll highlighted this mismatch, showing that teens are nearly half as likely to get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep on school nights compared to weekends. And teens themselves feel these effects. The same study showed teens are over three times as likely to be dissatisfied with the amount of sleep they get on school nights compared to weekends.

If teens’ sleep needs and timing patterns weren’t special enough, pile on the list of other influences like their use of technologies with screens, social behaviors, and busy activity schedules. There’s some evidence that exposure to bright light, particularly blue light, in the evening hours can even further delay when teens feel sleepy. Scientifically, light, especially within the hour before bedtime, can delay the brain’s release of the hormone melatonin which might make it harder to fall asleep. While the story of light’s effect on teen sleep is building, it’s even more important to manage the alerting activities teens are doing on screens before sleep. Social media engagement, exciting or disturbing content at bedtime—including negative social comments and comparisons—all can interfere with healthy sleep. Teens’ use of common technologies also can directly compete with their sleep, like when they purposefully put off sleep to stay active on electronic devices. Their scheduling challenges, such as extracurricular activities and multiple demands on their time, can make it difficult for teens to allow sufficient opportunities for sleep. They may even compensate for missed sleep with a late-day or evening nap, also making it harder for them to fall asleep at night.

Helping teens to set healthy sleep habits

The teenage years are a great opportunity to set healthy sleep habits. Parents and families can be most effective in helping their teens set healthy sleep habits by actively respecting their growing independence and autonomy, helping them prioritize the importance of sleep, and making a caring connection.

· Encourage teens to share their values, goals, and think about how healthy sleep can help them achieve those goals. Give teens the autonomy to decide what they want to focus on in their sleep health.

· Give teens information to understand and prioritize the benefits of sleep and making good decisions. For example, how do their role models and high-performance people use healthy sleep to be at their best?

· Consider the social context in which teens make decisions about sleep, understanding how their peers value sleep, and help them prioritize sleep in a way that actually raises their social status.

· Champion how healthy sleep is practiced and prioritized within the family.

Helping teens establish good sleep habits is doable and worth it. It can require some effort and time, but encouraging them to create positive, healthy sleep habits now can help them be their Best Slept Self® over their entire lives.

Getting enough quality sleep plays a pivotal role in the health and well-being of teens. It’s strongly tied to and impacts their mental health.

Healthy sleep is linked to improved emotional functioning in teens, which can help manage anxiety, depression, and reported stress among those who get sufficient sleep. For example, NSF’s 2024 Sleep in America^® Poll found that teens who get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep each night have lower levels of depressive symptoms. It could be these positive effects are partly due to the role sleep plays in regulating emotions and maintaining a stable mood. On the other hand, regularly disrupted sleep is associated with more mood swings, irritability, and increased emotional reactivity. In fact, the same NSF study showed that nearly seven out of ten teens who are dissatisfied with their sleep also reported elevated depressive symptoms. Adequate sleep is key to building emotional resilience, and it can help teens more effectively work though some of the challenges they can experience during adolescence. When people sleep poorly, they are more likely to interpret the world around them in a negative light. With regular, sufficient, and healthy sleep, we have a more positive outlook. This benefit of sleep could help teens avoid an overload of negative emotions during the day.

Beyond its impact on emotional well-being, healthy sleep is crucial for cognitive functioning and academic performance in teenagers. Teens who consistently get enough sleep are better equipped to concentrate, retain information, and excel in school. However, insufficient sleep may lead to difficulties in problem-solving, decision-making, and overall cognitive abilities, which can negatively impact a teen’s academic success and long-term mental well-being.

Getting enough quality sleep also helps teens cope with the stress of their evolving physical, social, and emotional worlds. During deep sleep, the brain regulates stress hormones such as cortisol. Teens who consistently get enough sleep (NSF recommends 8-10 hours each night) can be better equipped to cope with stressors and have less risk of developing chronic stress-related mental health issues. What’s troubling is the vast majority of teens, 80% in a recent NSF poll, are not getting enough sleep.

During adolescence, teens are also navigating new behaviors that require decision-making skills and impulse control. Healthy sleep contributes to improved behavior in teens, leading to fewer accidents, reduced substance use, fewer reckless behaviors, and a lower risk of other health problems.

Promoting sleep health early with teens is worth it. It’s a positive step to help them feel better, be safer, perform better, cope more effectively, and choose healthier behaviors that can set them up for success over the long-term.

You’re a teenager? Great, this is for you! (We already wrote something for adults).

Take a few minutes to look inside yourself and see what’s important to you. What defines you? Who do you aspire to be? Did you know sleep powers your mind, body, emotions, and health? Sleep helps you to be ready and able to pursue and achieve many of your goals. Seriously, have you ever tried to do anything that’s really important to you when you’re tired, even exhausted? What are the great things you can do when you are your Best Slept Self^®?

We know it’s hard to prioritize your sleep when there are a lot of distractions and interruptions out there from things you see, hear, buy, and use every day—whatever can get in the way of you getting enough of the quality sleep you need. But think about what’s possible, and how you can be you, when you’re feeling great after a night of healthy sleep.

High-performance people—thinkers, doers, creatives, athletes, celebrities, everyday leaders, and influencers—they understand sleep is a power within us that energizes what we do and can even give us a boost or a competitive edge.

Healthy sleep is for everyone, including you. You’re worth getting the sleep you need for your happiness and well-being!

So, as you decide what you can do about your sleep health, consider this: scientific studies show most teens need 8-10 hours of sleep per night. This can be challenging as your natural body clock (circadian rhythm) keeps you alert late into the night and feeling sleepy well into the morning hours. Oh, and if you’re like most teens, you still need to be ready to start school early and keep a demanding schedule! In fact, 7 out of 10 teens have to be present for school before 8:30am. Plus—and how many times have you heard this—being on screens late at night can further disrupt your body clock and can keep your mind and emotions going when you should be sleeping. We’re pretty sure you know what we’re talking about: the rabbit hole of scrolls and chats and games and surfs and posts (sorry, not all of them friendly, btw—stay strong!) and…all that alerting and engaging content can make it difficult to fall asleep. Not to mention demands from school, sports, extracurricular activities, your family, and more. Perhaps it feels like the only time you have ‘free’ from all the demands of your day is at night, so you might have the urge to use that time on things beside sleep.

Well, you can get past these challenges with some basic tips to help you be a Best Slept® Teen:

Daytime Tips for Teens:

1. Light: Get sunlight or bright light as soon as possible in the morning after waking up to boost your alertness during the day and help get deeper sleep at night. Trust us, it’s a science thing.

2. Exercise: Exercise regularly for a deeper sleep. This can include participating in sports or other physical extracurricular activities. Even if you’re not the physical type, it’s good to get your blood flowing for even 30 minutes a day.

3. Mealtimes: Eating meals at consistent times day after day can help your sleep. It may be tough given your active schedule. Whatever works for you for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, focus on being as consistent as you can. Actually, having a consistent schedule overall is great for sleep.

Nighttime Tips for Teens:

1. Avoid: Allow your mind and body to relax by avoiding caffeine in the late afternoon and evening. You may also want to avoid late-day or evening naps, because they can lessen your “drive” for sleep and make it harder to fall asleep when you want to at night. If you must, grab a short nap in the afternoon. It is also best to stay away from heavy meals and nicotine before bed.

2. Wind-down: Use a consistent routine that relaxes you to help get the sleep you need each night. You could try meditation, listening to soothing music, dimming the lights, or reading a book. Try to commit to a consistent bedtime and wake-up time. It’s doable with reminders and a regular routine. And it’s important to avoid excessive sleep-ins on weekends so you don’t have a difficult adjustment on Mondays when you’re back in action.

3. Environment: Create an optimal sleep environment by making your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. And, put those electronic devices away. Sure, that might sound impossible, and you’re not alone in not wanting to stay connected. But using screens in bed can be stimulating and can also can turn your sleeping space into a cue to be awake rather than to sleep. Yes, it really happens, and it’s an unhealthy habit that’s hard to break.

What are three actions specific to you, that you can take for better sleep health?

Remember, you have the power to shape who you want to be, and healthy sleep is definitely part of that. Make choices that prioritize your health, allowing you to be your Best Slept Self. It’s worth it!

For Immediate Release
Contact: NSF Communications
NSFmedia@theNSF.org

National Sleep Foundation Says Teens’ Sleep Health and Mental Health Strongly Linked

NSF releases important new public health findings from its annual poll in advance of Sleep Awareness Week®

Washington, D.C. (March 7, 2024) – To kick off Sleep Awareness Week® 2024 (March 10-16), the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) released new findings from their annual Sleep in America® Poll. This year focused on exploring the important connection between sleep health and mental health in American teens. Results from this first-of-its-kind study in teens found that healthy sleep behaviors are closely linked to mental health in teens. Nearly 80% of teens who earn a grade of ‘B’ or higher for practicing healthy sleep behaviors are also free of significant depressive symptoms.

Additional key results from the representative, population-level research show:

8 out of every 10 teens don’t get enough sleep.

The typical teen gets an ‘F’ grade for practicing healthy sleep behaviors.

Teens who have trouble falling or staying asleep 2 or more nights a week have significantly more depressive symptoms.

Almost ¾ of teens say their emotional well-being is negatively impacted when they sleep less than usual.

Importantly, these results expand the base of knowledge about the connection between sleep health and mental health in the American public. In 2023, NSF’s Sleep in America Poll® highlighted this similar connection in the general US adult population. As the US continues to face a mental health crisis, teens are in a particularly unenviable position, facing unique challenges and with unique sleep needs.

“We’ve continued to emphasize for the public that sleep is critical for our health and well-being,” said John Lopos, National Sleep Foundation CEO, “and in the context of the mental health crisis it’s important to put more evidence behind the strong connection with sleep, especially in our kids. This is a call to action for teens, families, educators, communities, and policymakers. What’s encouraging is we see where healthy sleep fits.”

An annual survey, the Sleep in America Poll is one of the longest-running records capturing U.S. perceptions, attitudes, and trends in sleep health. The 2024 report combined results from a variety of sleep health tools, including NSF’s Sleep Health Index®, Sleep Satisfaction Tool®, and its Best Slept Self® Questionnaire, to assess how teens sleep and the PHQ-A to evaluate depressive symptoms in teens.

“We combined NSF’s multiple validated measures of the population’s sleep health with an established measure of depressive symptoms to examine the link between sleep health and depressive symptoms in teenagers,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs at the National Sleep Foundation. “As a licensed clinician and a parent, the time is now to think about the important two-way connection between our sleep and mental health. Helping teens build healthy sleep habits can have a lasting, positive impact on their physical and mental health.”

Also during Sleep Awareness Week 2024, NSF will be holding a Congressional Briefing entitled Sleep Health is Mental Health, on Wednesday, March 13. Members of Congress, staff, and interested stakeholders will hear from a multidisciplinary expert panel about the association between sleep health and mental health, plus discuss opportunities to effect positive change while Congress works towards comprehensive mental health legislation.

Sleep Awareness Week 2024 is sponsored through unrestricted funding and support from Avadel, Eisai, Inc., Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Waymo, Apnimed, Purecare, Asleep, Harmony Biosciences, Idorsia, NextSense, Variowell, PocketKado, Ozlo, Samsung Health, and Withings.

Collaborators include American Heart Association, National PTA, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Organization for Youth Safety, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Rural Minds, National Coalition for the Homeless, and Higi who, among many other organizations and agencies, help to promote NSF’s sleep health messages.

For more sleep health information and to learn ways to help be your Best Slept Self®, visit www.theNSF.org.

If you’re still not getting the sleep you need after taking some basic steps, or if you have lasting symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider. That’s especially true if you are having challenges with your mood or feelings of depression. You are not alone. For anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek care. Contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

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About the National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. TheNSF.org │SleepHealthJournal.org

About the Sleep in America® Poll

The Sleep in America Poll is the National Sleep Foundation’s premier annual review of current sleep topics. The Poll was first conducted in 1991 and has been produced since 2018 by Langer Research Associates. The full Sleep in America Poll findings, including methodology, can be found at theNSF.org/sleep-in-america-polls/.

For Immediate Release
Contact: NSF Communications
NSFmedia@theNSF.org

National Sleep Foundation Announces 2024 Dates for Sleep Awareness Week^®

Campaign to include Congressional Briefing on Sleep and Mental Health

Washington, D.C. (January 24, 2024): Today, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) announced Sleep Awareness Week^® 2024 will take place from March 10-16. Sleep Awareness Week, now in its 26^th year, is the NSF’s annual campaign emphasizing the importance of sleep to health and well-being and a call to action for the public to prioritize getting enough of the quality sleep they need.

As part of this year’s campaign, NSF further announced it will hold a Congressional Briefing on sleep health and mental health on Wednesday, March 13. The Briefing is entitled Sleep Health is Mental Health. Members of Congress, staff, and interested stakeholders will hear from a multidisciplinary expert panel about the association between sleep health and mental health, plus discuss opportunities to effect positive change while Congress works towards comprehensive mental health legislation.

Established in 1998 by the National Sleep Foundation, Sleep Awareness Week is the premier awareness and education campaign for sleep health. Each year, NSF releases the results of its hallmark Sleep in America® Poll during the campaign week. The Sleep in America poll helps the public understand key attitudes, behaviors, and experiences with sleep health and explores a broad range of topics from aging, to exercise, to pain, to incorporating healthy sleep behaviors into daily living. Most recently, the 2023 Sleep in America poll reinforced how sleep health and healthy sleep behaviors are strongly associated with mental health in adults.

“National Sleep Foundation continues to be a unique, evergreen resource for the public and any organization concerned about the connection between sleep and health,” said Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi, MD, PhD, Chair of the NSF Board of Directors. “During Sleep Awareness Week we are excited to release important results and the latest insights from our newest research with the public: these data continue to reveal opportunities to increase the importance of sleep health among the public.”

Sleep Awareness Week begins at the start of Daylight Saving Time when most Americans change their clocks and lose an hour of sleep.

“If we want to improve our health and look and feel our best, we can start by focusing on our sleep,” said John Lopos, CEO of NSF. “NSF is here to help anyone and everyone be their Best Slept Self® and ultimately that’s what our Sleep Awareness Week campaign and our everyday promise is all about.”

NSF independently produces the Sleep in America poll, Sleep Awareness Week, and all related official educational content. The campaign reaches millions of people in the US and abroad and generates billions of media impressions each year. Campaign materials can be found on the NSF website.

About the National Sleep Foundation
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research, and practice.

TheNSF.org │ SleepHealthJournal.org

Thinking about tech to help with your sleep? These options could boost your bedtime experience.

Getting the sleep you need is important to your health and feeling well during the day. If you find yourself wanting something more to help you fall asleep or stay asleep, you may benefit from using smart technology and sleep devices. These tools are designed to help improve your sleep experience, so adding them to your bedtime (or daytime!) routine may provide solutions to your sleep challenges. Here are just a few of the product areas you may want to consider to help you understand your sleep better and improve your comfort in a sleep-friendly space that’s dark, quiet, and cool.

Sleep Tracker

There are many different types of sleep trackers offering a broad range of features. These wearable and “nearable” tech devices can measure your heart rate, breathing patterns, and body movement to provide feedback that may improve your sleep. Depending on the device, you will typically strap one to your wrist, wear it on your finger, or place it on your nightstand. Some trackers can also monitor sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep phases, and environmental factors like room temperature and light exposure. Many of these devices or applications give you a “sleep score,” with each one sharing different types of sleep data that make up the score. Consider this: the total score can be a high-level view of how well you slept, so think about the healthy sleep behaviors you did (or didn’t!) use before you went to sleep and got that score!

In addition, some track lifestyle factors that can influence your sleep by allowing you to input information about how much caffeine you drank before bed and whether you are feeling stressed. You can sync these gadgets to your phone or computer to track your data. Based on the data gathered, sleep trackers can identify patterns in your sleep habits and suggest tips that may improve sleep quantity and quality. Some devices even offer expert sleep content to help improve users’ understanding of their sleep. As an example, National Sleep Foundation sleep health education, tips and personal sleep insights are available to millions of Samsung Health app users through their Galaxy products.

Sleep headbands are another way to monitor and potentially improve your sleep. These headbands can generate audio tones aimed at enhancing the quality of deep sleep. Some even come with mobile apps that track your sleep patterns over time and measure key metrics.

Smart Mattress

A smart mattress is typically designed to track aspects of your sleep and monitor the temperature and firmness of your bed to provide a personalized sleep experience. A grid of sensors embedded in the mattress can automatically adjust the amount of support the mattress provides, increasing or decreasing the bed’s firmness based on the distribution of your weight and your sleep position. Smart mattresses are a growing category and one way to invest in your sleep, and there are multiple options available to suit your specific needs.

One type of smart mattress combines sensors and silent air pumps to inflate or deflate the mattress according to personal preference and gives you the option to choose manual or automatic pressure adjustments. Another type uses sensors to detect your sleeping position and modify pressure for support and comfort. Some smart mattresses have additional features, such as pre-warming the bed to your preferred temperature and customizing the firmness on each side of the bed to suit a couple’s different sleeping preferences. As smart mattress technology continues to develop, these products get better at “knowing” more about your individual sleep style and preferences, so they can be part of a more consistent, personalized sleep experience for you.

Top of the Bed

Smart pillows are designed to enhance comfort while monitoring and tracking things like breathing patterns and sleep habits. Some smart pillows include built-in speakers with the ability to stream podcasts, music, and audiobooks that only you can hear, helping you drift off to sleep faster. Other devices regulate your pillow’s temperature while you sleep and keep your pillow consistently cool through a thermo-regulation system.

You can also attach bed sensor pads to your mattress to identify your sleep habits. These high-tech pads connect with activity trackers to assess whether lifestyle habits such as eating patterns or physical activity may impact your sleep. In addition, bed sensor pads can communicate with other smart devices in your home to adjust your thermostat, lighting, and noise levels and set your alarm clock to ensure you wake up on time.

Lighting

Light is a very important factor for our sleep, linked to our natural circadian biology. Getting sunlight or equivalent indoor brightness early in the morning is a good thing, but light during the night can cause problems for sleep. Different types of light can affect your quality of sleep. Recent innovations in sleep lighting technology can help you create a living and bedroom environment that is more conducive to sleep, such as electronically controlled window shades and blinds, or smart bulbs that gradually fade when it’s near your bedtime and slowly brighten your room in the morning (some bulbs even mimic the color of sunrise). You can also purchase bulbs that shift from warm red hues to cool blue ones, depending on the time of day.

Other lighting innovations include operation through smartphone apps or voice-assisted tech devices–like Amazon’s Alexa, Samsung’s Bixby, Apple’s Siri, or Google Home–that let you control the bedroom lights wirelessly, so you don’t have to get up to shut them off when you’re ready to sleep. If you are reading on your tablet or watching TV at night, try using blue light filters to reduce your exposure to the blue hues that the devices emit, which can affect your natural sleep/wake cycle.

Sleep Environment

Certain devices can help you create a sleep-friendly environment to improve your bedtime experience, and may even help to promote sleep. Sound conditioners are designed to reduce external noises that interfere with your sleep. These can be white noise machines, which combine all noise frequencies to create a steady background hum that masks distractions. They may also be pink noise machines, which aim to improve sleep by releasing high and low frequencies to slow and regulate brain waves. Sound conditioners often produce calming and relaxing sounds, such as waterfalls, nature, soothing music, ocean waves, and rain.

Even home appliances like dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers that are being designed to be quieter (and meet “quiet” standards) may help keep noise down in the connected living space, for people who run them close to bedtime.

Another way to improve your sleep environment: give the air quality in your bedroom an upgrade with an air purifier. Air purifiers remove harmful contaminants, such as pollen and dust. Poor air quality can affect the soundness of your sleep, which in turn can affect your sleep satisfaction. Keeping your bedroom air clean may help you sleep better throughout the night.

Let’s not forget about temperature. National Sleep Foundation generally recommends a sleep environment of around 67 degrees Fahrenheit, though individual needs can vary. Some “high-tech” sheets and mattress toppers are designed with specialized fabrics and materials, keeping heat regulation and cooling in mind. Technology in apps and climate control devices (i.e., fans, air conditioners, heaters) can coordinate and help manage the temperature in your bedroom and other rooms of your living space. Smart home technology is an evolving area that can help maintain a sleep-friendly environment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
NSF Communications
NSFmedia@theNSF.org

National Sleep Foundation Launches SleepTech® Network
Premier Community Forum for Stakeholders in the Sleep Technology Industry

Las Vegas, Nev. (January 9, 2024): The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) today launched its SleepTech® Network, a new community forum for stakeholders across the sleep technology industry. The announcement comes from CES® in Las Vegas, a trade show that showcases the entire tech landscape. NSF is exhibiting at Booth 8604 in the North Hall in Tech East.

Among the inaugural members of the SleepTech® Network are organizations ranging from high-profile start-ups to representatives of the Fortune Global 500, reflecting important segments including consumer electronics, digital therapeutics, mobility, consumer home products, and sleep-monitoring AI software. Members include Asleep, Pocket Kado, PureCare, Samsung Health, Variowell, and Waymo.

NSF’s SleepTech Network benefits members through education, insights, and access, including to NSF resources and each other. Each organization can stay informed and up-to-date with the latest NSF research and data on sleep health technology, while network members learn about advances with other professionals in the field of SleepTech, discuss sleep technology issues and opportunities, and interact with peers at NSF-hosted educational events.

Kickoff activities for SleepTech® Network members include a briefing on rates of electronic device use before bedtime and associated sleep characteristics, along with public beliefs about the sleep-related consequences of pre-sleep electronic use. Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, NSF’s Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs will lead the briefing, exploring NSF’s newest research results and key findings.

“NSF sees the potential SleepTech® has to help the public’s health and well-being. It’s a fast-growing global industry, and NSF’s role is not just to advocate for and support innovation in this space, but also to do our part and help others understand and navigate it in a way that can improve sleep health,” said John Lopos, NSF CEO.

NSF is committed to making science-based SleepTech more accessible and convenient so anyone and everyone can be their Best Slept Self®. For over 30 years, NSF has educated the public about the importance of sleep for health and well-being. NSF has promoted positive sleep health through published expert recommendations, consensus guidelines, technology standards, and easy-to-use tips and tools to improve sleep.

For more information about NSF’s SleepTech Network, and to apply, visit theNSF.org/sleeptech-network.

Embr Labs and Pocket Kado Win National Sleep Foundation’s 2023 SleepTech® Award

Washington, D.C. (December 6, 2023): The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) named Embr Labs and Pocket Kado as winners of the 2023 SleepTech® Award. NSF’s SleepTech Award recognizes the year’s most innovative efforts in advancing sleep technology and is a feature of NSF’s ongoing work to encourage and celebrate efforts by which sleep science and insight are rapidly incorporated into accessible health products and services.

Embr Labs’ Ember Wave® is the winner in the Sleep Health and Wellness category. As described by Embr Labs, the Ember Wave wrist-worn device delivers soothing cool or warm waves of temperature to the inside of the wrist to help users drift off to sleep, diminish nighttime bursts of warmth or night sweats that can disrupt sleep, and prevent returning to sleep, and help keep users from waking throughout the night.

Pocket Kado, the winner in the Sleep Disorders and Conditions category, describes their product as the world’s first science-backed virtual pet game to help users sleep. Through gameplay, users can develop their sleep hygiene and maintain routines that align with their circadian rhythm, which also may help users live well with insomnia, including if they have completed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

“We congratulate Embr Labs and Pocket Kado for winning our 2023 SleepTech Award. Both organizations have innovative approaches that draw from sleep science and insight, offering the potential to help people get the quality sleep they need,” said John Lopos, National Sleep Foundation CEO.

“We are honored and grateful to be recognized by the National Sleep Foundation for the positive impact that the Embr Wave can have on sleep. Receiving the SleepTech® Award is a testament to the power of temperature to improve well-being. We believe quality sleep is the foundation of a healthy, happy life, and Embr Wave can be a powerful option for anyone looking to improve their sleep,” said Sam Shames, Co-founder and COO of Embr Labs.

“We are elated to receive the National Sleep Foundation’s SleepTech® Award after developing Pocket Kado with sleep experts for the past several years. This award is especially meaningful as we share NSF’s mission to make healthy sleep accessible to everyone. With this award, we aim to inspire further collaboration between technology companies and clinical scientists, as our understanding of sleep evolves,” said Khoa Tran, CEO of Pocket Kado.

NSF would also like to acknowledge three SleepTech Award finalists in each category: Lumos, Oxa, and Ozlo in the Sleep Health and Wellness Category and breathesimple, NextSense, and SleepImage in the Sleep Disorders and Conditions category.

The National Sleep Foundation has no financial relationship with any of the 2023 SleepTech Award winners. For more information about the National Sleep Foundation, visit www.theNSF.org.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Stephanie Kohn
skohn@thensf.org

Congressional Resolution 853 Supports the Designation of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®

Washington, DC (November 9, 2023) — Representatives Madeleine Dean and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, introduced House Resolution 853 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Developed by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and with additional data and statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the resolution supports the designation of “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week” to raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving and encourages people across the United States to take preventable steps against drowsy driving.

NSF is dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research, and practice. NSF established Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, held each fall at the end of Daylight Saving Time, to raise awareness about the importance of sleep and the risks of driving while drowsy. Drowsy driving is impaired driving. It is a relatable experience that is dangerously common, but preventable. Drowsy driving starts when people are young drivers. A recent NSF survey of teen drivers found in their first two years of driving, 1 in 6 teens have already driven while drowsy. 95% of teens also say drowsy driving is risky, but most rate drunk, drugged, and distracted driving as more dangerous. Similarly, adults consider drowsy driving less risky than other forms of impaired driving.

“NSF applauds Congress for recognizing Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Drowsy driving is impaired driving and a public health concern that everyone can take steps to prevent,” said John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “It starts by getting enough quality sleep to be your Best Slept Self®, which is important for our safe driving and responsibility to each other on the road.”

“Drowsy Driving Prevention Week raises awareness of the dangers of driving while fatigued or sleepy and educates drivers on how to keep themselves and others safe,” Rep. Dean said. “The National Sleep Foundation has been a leader in making our roads safer, and I’m grateful for their partnership in recognizing this week of advocacy to help save lives.”

For the past 30 years, NSF has educated the public about the importance of sleep health in relation to overall health and well-being. NSF has published consensus papers and guidelines for positive sleep health. Most recently, coinciding with Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, NSF has released a Drowsy Driving Position Statement.

For more information about National Sleep Foundation’s leadership in sleep health and Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, visit www.theNSF.org.

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For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Stephanie Kohn
skohn@theNSF.org

National Sleep Foundation Study Results Show Drowsy Driving Begins During Teen Years
New survey of teen drivers shows attitudes and actions about impaired driving, implications for sleep health

Washington, D.C. (November 2, 2023) – Today, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) released results of a new survey of American teens highlighting their attitudes and behaviors about drowsy driving. Teens reported driving drowsy at high rates, especially considering their status as new drivers. Teens also said school and job commitments were the top factors keeping them from getting the sleep they need to drive alert. A corresponding NSF survey of US adult drivers showed similar results about the top contributors to their drowsiness behind the wheel but with greater frequency of driving while drowsy. Teens and adults called drowsy driving “highly risky.”

National Sleep Foundation’s 2023 Drowsy Driving Survey was fielded as part of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, NSF’s annual campaign to help Americans get the sleep they need and reduce the number of drivers who get behind the wheel while sleep-deprived. NSF urges everyone to Sleep First. Drive Alert.^TM

Drowsy driving is a public health issue linked to thousands of car crashes each year, killing an estimated 6,400 people annually in the U.S. alone, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. NSF and other expert sources believe crash and fatality data are likely underestimated. NSF’s 2023 survey data show drowsy driving is common among American adults, where six in ten adult drivers admit to having driven a car when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open. These findings are consistent with NSF’s 2022 results, reinforcing the ongoing need for education about the importance of sleep health.

Key results from teen drivers, featured this year, showed

In their first two years of driving, 1 in 6 teens have already driven while drowsy.
95% of teens say drowsy driving is risky, but most rate drunk, drugged, and distracted driving as more dangerous.
Most teens say schoolwork and jobs are the main factors that keep them from getting the sleep they need to drive alert.
Teen drivers with jobs are more than 2X as likely as those without to have driven while so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open.

“Other science and research previously established teens and young people are at high risk for drowsy driving. What we see in our results this year is many teens, early in their driving experience, say they’ve already driven while drowsy. Overall, teens know the risks of drowsy driving, but don’t think it’s as risky as other forms of impaired driving,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, Vice President, Research and Scientific Affairs, National Sleep Foundation. “The good news is – drowsy driving is preventable, and there’s a lot we can teach our young drivers about the importance of getting the sleep they need before they get behind the wheel.”

There are steps people can take to help lessen the risk

Get the recommended amount of sleep before you drive
- While the feeling of a good night’s sleep varies from individual to individual, NSF recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults and 8-10 hours for teens of driving age.
Plan your long trips with a companion
- A companion passenger can not only help look for early warning signs of drowsiness but also help with driving when needed. A good driving companion is someone who stays awake to talk to you and will be aware of your alertness.
Schedule regular stops for your trip, every 100 miles or two hours
Be mindful of warning signs of drowsy driving
- Frequent blinking and yawning or having difficulty with lane and speed control are common signs that you may be driving while drowsy.

“At NSF, we’re dedicated to helping everyone prioritize their sleep for health and safety,” said John Lopos, CEO, National Sleep Foundation. “Getting enough quality sleep to be your Best Slept Self® is also important for our safe driving and responsibility on the road.”

NSF independently produces Drowsy Driving Prevention Week® and all related official educational content. Drowsy Driving Prevention Week 2023 sponsors include Waymo, Schneider National, General Motors, Samsung Health, Eisai Inc., and Asleep. Visit the NSF website to see a full list of collaborators for the 2023 Drowsy Driving Prevention Week campaign, including the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, and Governors Highway Safety Association.

Join NSF to help prevent drowsy driving by sharing the campaign’s message on social media using the hashtag #SleepFirst. NSF’s drowsy driving prevention resources are available on www.theNSF.org.

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About the National Sleep Foundation

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For Immediate Release

Congressional Resolution 853 Supports the Designation of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®

Key results from teen drivers, featured this year, showed

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