So many of us are sleep-deprived (and if you’re not, please share your secrets — we need them ASAP!). The Atlantic reports that a new study using data from the American Time Use Survey reveals that “work” is the No. 1 thing for which we sacrifice sleep. Nope, it’s not sex, not exercising, not family time, and certainly not cozying up with a good book or favorite movie — it’s work.The study, published in the journal Sleep, looked at short sleepers (defined as those who sleep fewer than six hours a night), normal sleepers (six to 11 hours), and long sleepers (more than 11 hours). The researchers found that short sleepers worked 1.55 more hours on weekdays and 1.86 more hours on weekends or holidays compared to normal sleepers. They also reported starting work earlier in the morning, and wrapping up work later at night.The short sleepers also clocked more travel time, both in the early mornings and later in the evening, compared to normal sleepers —meaning commuting to and from work was also chipping away at their beauty sleep.The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults get about seven to nine hours nightly for optimal health and productivity. According to the CDC, 30 percent of employed U.S. adults only get six hours of sleep or less on an average night.We have demanding schedules, and the Internet has made it so work is no longer just a 9-5 day at the office. So it makes sense that we’re borrowing from our precious sleep time. But skimping on sleep can have serious consequences for both your health and beauty. Maybe you need to ask your boss to be flexible about working from home; maybe you should watch one less episode of “Scandal” before bed. In the long run, you’ll be much happier when you feel well rested.Related Articles:Sleep and Alcohol Don’t Mix WellNewly Single? Why You’re Better Off Sleeping Alone QUIZ: Assess Your Sleep Quality & Learn How to Get MoreScience Explains The Ideal Bedtime

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR