Lack of sleep costs the U.S. economy up to $411 billion, according to a new report.
According to the RAND Corporation study called “Why Sleep Matters,” lack of sleep also increases the risk of death by 13 percent and leads to the loss of 1.2 million working days every year.
Making sure to get at least six or seven hours of sleep per night could add $226.4 billion to the economy.
"Our study shows that the effects from a lack of sleep are massive,” said Marco Hafner, a research leader at RAND Europe and the report's main author. “Sleep deprivation not only influences an individual's health and well-being but has a significant impact on a nation's economy, with lower productivity levels and a higher mortality risk among workers."
The study also looked at how sleep or lack thereof affects the economies of the UK, Canada, Germany and Japan.
The U.S. had the biggest financial losses, followed by Japan, which loses an estimated $138 billion and 600,000 working days.
Canada was the least affected, losing only $21.4 billion and 80,000 working days.
Researchers recommend set bedtimes, avoiding the use of electronic items before bed and daily physical exercise.
