Test Your Sleep IQ
1. The average American adult gets enough sleep each night to satisfy national recommendations.
2. Older adults need less sleep than young and middle-aged adults.
3. Watching television is the most popular evening activity.
4. The best sleeping temperature is a cool 65 degrees.
Answers
- False. The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults younger than age 65 sleep for seven to nine hours, but more than 70% of Americans fail to do that.
- True. According to the Mayo Clinic, adults age 18 to 64 should sleep seven or more hours per night. Kids under five should sleep 10 to 16 hours, while their older siblings should sleep between eight and 12.
- True. A survey examining sleep habits in six countries, including the United States, found that at least 66% of participants in each country watched TV before bed. The blue light emitted from electronics prevents melatonin production (the sleep-wake cycle hormone).
- True. Like a bat cave, your bedroom should be cool.
Want More Health Tips?
Sign up for our e-newsletter, Live Healthy, to receive a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.