Be it late-night TV, a crazy workday or the hippo upstairs who stomps around at all hours—the truth is, we sleep a whole lot less than we used to. On average, Americans awake at 5:47 a.m. and don’t hit the hay until after 10:15 p.m., which doesn’t even factor in all the time spent counting sheep after that. Without question, we’re not getting nearly enough sleep. The average person needs eight hours of shut-eye to lead a healthy, happy life, and some may need even more than that. Why? Because sleep has incredible hidden restorative powers and keeps your hormone levels in balance. Human growth hormone is secreted in the brain during periods of deep REM sleep. So, no more excuses. It’s time to hit that pillow asap, sleeping beauty.
QUIZ: Are You Getting A Good Night’s Sleep?
