Oregonians Get Some of the Best Sleep in the Nation

Sleepless in Seattle? Fast asleep in Oregon: according to a new report from sleep-tracking app Sleep Cycle, Oregonians get some of the best rest in the nation.
Oregon ranked fourth in sleep quality, per an analysis of over 15 million sleep sessions in the US collected by the app last year. Sleep quality includes metrics on how much time is spent in bed, how much of that time is in a near-motionless deep sleep, wake-ups throughout the night, and incidents of tossing and turning—all based on data collected via app users’ microphone and motion sensors. Oregon was outslept only by Montana, Colorado, and Vermont.
It’s tempting to credit our sensible sleep habits to Portland’s reputation as a retirement community for the young. But there are plenty of other factors at play. Each of the top states is known for outdoor activities, which wouldn’t surprise sleep scientists: Studies show time and time again that exercise improves sleep quality. Northern latitudes might help, too. People in cold states more often sleep with the window open, and fresh air at night can help prevent midnight wakefulness. Oregonians also take light pollution seriously and have some of the strongest reading habits in the country, a preferable alternative to late-night screen time, both of which have been shown to positively impact sleep cycles.
The poorest sleeping states are Hawai'i, Nevada, Maryland, Florida, and Texas. But don’t taunt your exhausted friends in low-ranking states like New Jersey (43rd) just yet. Poor sleep quality can be deeply intertwined with serious stressors, like economic insecurity and access to healthcare, according to the researchers. That said: next time you turn down a party invite, feel free to think of it as defending our title.