Gallup Survey: Did You Feel Well Rested Yesterday?

New Gallup-Healthways survey data show that 29 percent of U.S. adults said they did not feel well rested the day before the survey.

The survey involved 700,000 adults who were contacted by phone. It was conducted in 2008 and 2009. Respondents were asked, “Did you feel well rested yesterday?”

Women were more likely than men to report that they did not feel well rested. Rest also was more elusive for young adults, lower-income adults and those with at least one child in the household.

Older adults appeared to be the best rested. Only 19 percent of adults who were 65 years of age and older said they did not feel well rested.

Feeling well rested also was related to overall well-being. Fifty-one percent of people who were well rested considered themselves to be “thriving.” But only 39% of people who did not feel well rested were thriving.

A recent study suggested that your sleep may improve when you retire. Another study reported that working women sleep less than men.

In October the Sleep Education Blog reported on new survey data about the sleep of people in the U.S. In May it took a closer look at time-use survey data.

So what about you? Did you feel well rested yesterday – or today?

If not, maybe you need to make it a priority to get more sleep at night. Or maybe you need to seek help for a sleep disorder.

Get help for an ongoing sleep problem at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.