More than a third of U.S. adults sleep less than seven hours a night, and many report trouble concentrating, remembering, and even driving.

Medical studies have related a lack of sleep to health problems and cognitive impairment. It is typically recommended that adults get seven to nine hours of rest. A Gallup poll showed that 59% of U.S. adults meet that standard, but in 1942, 84% did. That means four in ten Americans get less than the recommended amount of nightly sleep, compared with the 11% who did so 70 years ago.

Regardless of what some recommend and the number of sleep people get, 56% of Americans say they get as much sleep as needed, while 43% say they would feel better if they got more sleep.

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation, drowsiness or falling asleep while driving causes up to 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries annually.

The CDC also examined the effect of sleep deprivation on the ability to perform routine activities. Subjects who slept fewer than seven hours were more likely to have trouble concentrating, have memory difficulties, or become so sleepy during the day that performing well at work was difficult. According to the researchers, these issues were less common compared to people who got seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Increasing nightly sleep duration would likely improve everyday functioning.

Chronic lack of sleep loss may also be a factor in obesity and other health problems.

So, how much sleep do we need?

Sleep experts say there is no "magic number" of how many hours we need. Sleep needs are individual. The amount of sleep you need to function at your best may be different for you than for someone of a similar age and gender. While you may be at the top of your game after sleeping seven hours per night, someone else may need nine hours to have a happy, productive life.

Those in all age groups deal with this lack of sleep by consuming caffeinated drinks, up to about three 12-ounce beverages per person daily, and taking naps, sometimes more than one during the day. This makes it harder to recover the lost sleep during the next night.

Contrary to common myth, our need for sleep doesn't decline as we age, but our ability to sleep for 6 to 8 hours at one time may be reduced.

Being older doesn't mean you have to feel tired all the time. You can do many things to help you get a good night's sleep.

People should maintain a consistent sleep schedule and avoid stimulating activities like exercise close to bedtime to improve sleep duration and quality. A bedroom should be comfortable and quiet, creating a good sleep environment.

Unplug

Excessive exposure to artificial light sources before bedtime may increase alertness and suppress the release of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone.

The tradition of watching television nightly before bed, checking electronic correspondence, or playing video games before turning in for the night could interfere with the country's sleep quality.

Almost 95% of those responding to a study indicated that they used some form of electronics during the hour before going to bed, and nearly two-thirds admitted they did not get sufficient sleep during the week.

Baby boomers watch the most television before going to sleep, and over a third of 13-18 year-olds and 28% of young adults 19-29 year olds played video games before bedtime. Over 60% indicated that they were on their computer at night.

The need to stay in constant touch means that people constantly leave their devices on and are being awakened by cell phones, texts, and emails during the night.

Separate from exercise, spending less time sitting may improve sleep quality and health. Those who sit for less than eight hours per day are significantly more likely to say they have "excellent" sleep quality than those who sit for eight hours or more.

Here are some excellent tips:

• Follow a regular sleep schedule. Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
• Develop a bedtime routine. Take time to relax before bedtime each night.
• Keep your bedroom dark, not too hot or too cold, and as quiet as possible.
• Exercise at regular times each day but not within 3 hours of your bedtime.
• Make an effort to get outside in the sunlight each day.

A Natural Solution

An excellent 100% natural solution to healthy sleep is Sleep Support Formula™. A great way to achieve better sleep and health, it's formulated with 12+ ingredients that let you drift into a restful slumber and wake up feeling revitalized (with a mind clear of grogginess).

This scientifically advanced all-natural supplement contains the nutritional requirements that help the body relax and sleep. By providing the body's natural sleep hormone, melatonin, plus a collection of calming herbs, phytomedicines, and critical nutrients, the body is encouraged to naturally eliminate restlessness, anxiety, persistent sleeplessness, and insomnia. Sleep Support Formula™. complements the body's natural ability to promote fast, safe, and deep sleep - like the kind we experienced when we were younger. The ingredients in this formula also offer some of the factors the body uses to make the neurotransmitter called "serotonin," which influences neurons that control such diverse activities as sleep, mood, and appetite. Sleep Support Formula™ supplies the body with the proper nutritional support, and the vital and regular sleep pattern of dreaming can be preserved and enhanced. Interestingly, "sleeping pills" using conventional drug therapy have proven to cause fewer and shorter periods of dreaming than found in normal sleep.