Why Does Texas Struggle With Sleeping and What To Do About It

Sleepless In Texas: The Late-Night Google Searches Tell a Story

Ever wondered what keeps Texans up at night? Well, if Google searches are any indication, it’s a whole lot of restless tossing and turning. Late at night, when most folks should be in dreamland, thousands of Texans are desperately searching for sleep remedies and medications.

With the help of data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Medical Association, and the JAMA, and Texas County Health rankings, one thing is clear—insomnia is taking its toll on the Lone Star State.

The Alarming Numbers: A State That Just Can’t Sleep

A recent study revealed that 34% of Texans suffer from insomnia, meaning that over 10 million Texans didn’t get enough, or any, sleep last night. That’s an eye-opening statistic, but it gets worse.

Google search data shows that Texans have looked up sleep medication online over 690,000 times in the past year. That means roughly 7% of Texas' sleep-deprived population is turning to medication to get some shut-eye. While that number might seem low compared to other states, it still puts Texas among the nation’s healthiest sleepers, though that’s not saying much.

Texas Ranks 45th in the Nation for Healthy Sleep

Despite some Texans reaching for sleep aids, others are still relying on old-school (and not-so-healthy) methods, alcohol being a big one. The truth is, Texas ranks 45th out of all 50 states for getting truly restful and healthy sleep.

For perspective, here’s how Texas stacks up against other states where sleep-deprived residents are searching for help:

Top 10 States Searching for Sleep Medication (% of Population)

1. Vermont – 39%
2. Wyoming – 35%
3. Alaska – 31%
4. North Dakota – 31%
5. South Dakota – 30%
6. Bottom 5 States Searching for Sleep Medication

7. Texas – 7%

8. Pennsylvania – 7%
9. New York – 7%
10. Michigan – 6%
    (Source: John Hopkins Medicine.org )

Bottom 5 States Searching Google for Sleep Medication

• Texas – 7%
• Pennsylvania – 7%
• New York – 7%
• Michigan – 6%
• California – 6%
• Ohio – 6%

I Sleep Like a Rock, And Then I’m Up and Running

Personally, I don’t struggle with sleep, I crash the moment my head hits the pillow. Actually, I can fall asleep sitting up if I get too comfortable. That might sound like a dream (pun intended), but it has its downsides. When things slow down and the world gets quiet, I’ll sneak in a power nap, only to wake up 30 to 45 minutes later, fully recharged and ready to go.

But for millions of Texans, the struggle to get just a few solid hours of sleep is a frustrating reality.

Are Smartphones to Blame for Texas’ Sleep Crisis?

Studies show that across all 50 states, Americans are struggling to fall asleep, and many are looking for quick fixes. But according to the CDC and JAMA, our biggest enemy might be the very thing we carry around 24/7: our smartphones.

These little handheld devices are great for keeping us connected, but they’re also keeping us awake for hours on end. Blue light from screens messes with our natural sleep cycles, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. Experts recommend putting the phone away at least an hour before bedtime and turning off any bright lights to get the deep, restorative sleep our bodies need.

Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for Better Sleep

So, what can Texans do to improve their sleep? Simple changes, like avoiding screens before bed, reducing caffeine intake in the evening, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine, can make a world of difference. While sleep medication may offer temporary relief, true, lasting rest comes from building better habits.

Are you one of the lucky few who can sleep like a baby? Or are you among the 10 million Texans still counting sheep? Let me know, I’d love to hear how you manage your sleep.