HONOLULU (KHON2) — The hustle is out, and the pillow is in. Across the United States, people are spending more time asleep than they did 20 years ago.
And in Hawaiʻi, residents are amongst the best sleepers, at least according to a new study.
Even with many residents working two and three jobs just to make ends meet, the study found that Hawaiʻi residents average nine hours and 26 minutes of rest each day.
That places the islands third in the United States, but it’s not unique to our islands.
Across the U.S., sleep is on the rise, the report found. In 2004, adults 18 and older slept an average of eight hours and 28 minutes. By 2024, that figure grew to an even nine hours. That’s an extra 195.2 hours of rest each year, or more than eight days.
An expert who evaluated the study, Talon Abernathy, said the effects of sleep extend far beyond feeling rested.
“Multiple studies have shown that getting less sleep over a long period significantly increases the risk of early death and several chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes and hypertension,” he said. “On the flipside, getting more sleep has been shown to improve moods, strengthen immune systems and boost activity levels.”
1. The study also found that sleep patterns differ by sex…
Women 18 and older average nine hours and four minutes daily, while men average eight hours and 54 minutes. That amounts to women getting about 61 hours more rest in 2024.
2. And age
By age, people 65 and older recorded the most sleep at nine hours and nine minutes. Adults between 25 and 34 averaged nine hours, while those 35 to 44 slept the least at eight hours and 41 minutes.
3. Weekends are about more sleep
The study also found that weekends give adults a chance to catch up. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, they average nine hours and 31 minutes. Weekdays fall shorter, with an average of eight hours and 46 minutes.
Hawaiʻi’s strong showing in the rankings highlights the importance of daily rest. Abernathy said the health and financial impacts go hand in hand.
“We know that getting less sleep results in all sorts of health problems and conditions that can lead to serious medical issues down the line,” he added.
You can click here to access the full report.
As the U.S. embraces more hours of rest, Hawaiʻi stands near the top. And the study shows that a commitment to sleep may be as essential as diet and exercise.