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Sleepy? You’re not alone, according to a new poll

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Others may say they can never be too rich or too thin. But in my house, the thing we can never get enough of is sleep.

Turns out plenty of Americans – but certainly not all – agree, according to the 2010 Sleep in America poll being released Monday by the National Sleep Foundation.

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Among the highlights:

  • 84% of Asian-Americans said they get a good night’s sleep at least a few times each week, more than any other group. Perhaps it’s because they’re not so worried about money – only 9% said they lose sleep due to financial concerns, compared with 19% of African Americans, 20% of whites and 22% of Latinos.
  • African Americans spend the most time in bed doing things other than sleeping, especially praying or watching TV. African Americans also get less weekday sleep than any other ethnic group – an average of only 6 hours and 14 minutes.
  • Interviewees said they were too tired for sex 21% to 26% of the time. In addition, 10% of African Americans and Latinos said they had sex every night, compared with 4% of whites and 1% of Asians.
  • 33% of Asian Americans who are part of a couple don’t sleep with their significant others, along with 24% of Latinos, 16% of African Americans and 10% of whites. Meanwhile, 14% of whites sleep with a pet, compared with 2% for all other ethnic groups.

The results are based on interviews with 1,007 randomly selected adults between age 25 and 60. For more poll results, check out this site from the National Sleep Foundation.

If, after reading them, you’re motivated to get a better night’s sleep, check out these helpful suggestions.

-- Karen Kaplan

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