In a startling shift from previous years, the latest Gallup poll reveals that a majority of Americans feel a lack of sleep is affecting their well-being.

According to the nationwide survey, 57% of U.S. adults believe that more sleep would improve their lives, a significant departure from 2013, when 56% were content with their sleep.

Unfortunately, it appears American sleep habits have deteriorated over decades, with only a quarter currently enjoying more than eight hours of sleep, while an alarming 20% manage five hours or less.

“Americans are sleeping less and are less satisfied with the amount they sleep,” Gallup researchers wrote. “Reports of frequently feeling stressed are also on the rise. Gallup polling and other research show a strong connection between sleep, stress, and overall health. Thus, the impact of both of these trends on Americans’ health could be substantial.”

A deeper look into gender-specific data shows women consistently report more sleep deprivation than men, with only 36% of females feeling well-rested compared to 48% of males. These figures are the lowest recorded by Gallup for both demographics.

Senior citizens above the age of 65 show a better trend in getting enough sleep compared to the younger generations. Yet, the overall reduction in sufficient sleep is evident across all age brackets, especially pronounced outside the 18 to 29 age group, with over 10 percentage points in decline.

The poll suggests a strong link between sleep deficit and stress, a hypothesis supported by the American Psychological Association. Stress and sleep loss feed into each other in a cyclical manner, exacerbating individual experiences of each. Among those desiring more sleep, 63% frequently undergo stress versus 31% who sleep well.

Destressing seems increasingly elusive as the number of stressed Americans has steadily increased since a noticeable dip in 2003. Forty-nine percent of U.S. citizens now report regularly facing stress, marking a 16-point climb over two decades and reaching the apex in Gallup’s longitudinal study.

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