In response to the dynamics of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, 17% of all adults—estimated to represent a striking 45 million Americans—reported 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. The negative impact did not differ 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. 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 the 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.

Read The Impact of Current National Politics on Sleep Health report.