Apparently, Minnesotans Get the Best Sleep in the Country

Looks like Minnesota has the secret to sweet dreams.

I’ve always valued my sleep, and the older I get, the more valuable it becomes. There’s something sacred about crawling into bed and staying asleep until morning, and it looks like I’m in good company because two Minnesota cities were just named some of the best in the U.S. when it comes to getting enough sleep.

In honor of Better Sleep Month, the team at InnerBody Research took a look at the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. to figure out which ones are truly getting their ZZZs... and which ones are wide awake, on their phones, and tossing and turning all night.

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InnerBody notes that “nearly 15% of American adults reported trouble falling asleep, and about 18% had difficulty staying asleep” in 2020, and those are just the ones who realized it.

They factored in everything from average sleep duration to lifestyle factors like obesity, mental health, noise, and light pollution to get a full ranking of the most and least sleep-deprived cities in the country.... and Minnesota is crushing it.

Why is Sleep So Important?

We all know sleep is important, but the science behind it is even more compelling. Poor sleep has been linked to serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke.

READ MORE: Minnesota Residents Could Be Sitting On a $1,000+ Refund and Not Know It

And the stress-sleep cycle is real, especially when you’re working long hours, managing a busy household, or working through mental health challenges. As the study points out, “chronic insomnia increases the risk of developing depression or anxiety,” and those conditions can make it even harder to get good sleep.

What Makes Minnesotans Some of the Best Rested in the Country?

According to the study, Minneapolis is the #1 least sleep-deprived city in the U.S., with St. Paul not far behind at #6. So, while other cities are counting sheep and hitting snooze buttons, here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we’re sleeping like babies through the night.

The study suggests our cooler temps might be a big factor for the cities getting the most sleep. “Most of these cities are situated in areas with below-average nighttime temperatures,” InnerBody said. “Some experts suggest that cooler temperatures can improve sleep, so that very well may be a factor at play.”

Minnesota’s plethora of parks, trails, and outdoor activities likely play a big role in helping us burn off energy and reduce stress, two key ingredients for quality sleep. Add in our slower, more mindful Midwestern pace, and it starts to make sense why our cities rank so well. Of course, the occasional 5 a.m. snowblower might try to ruin the peace, but I guess that’s just part of the deal around here.

READ MORE: Hidden Minnesota Campground is Now Considered One of the Best in America

So next time someone asks what makes Minnesota special, feel free to brag a little. We might be known for our wicked winters, heaping hotdish, and overuse of the word “ope”… but now we’ve got something else to add to the list: top-tier snoozing!😴

Here’s the full list of LEAST sleep-deprived cities:

1. Minneapolis, Minnesota
2. Seattle, Washington
3. San Jose, California
4. Madison, Wisconsin
5. Boise, Idaho
6. St. Paul, Minnesota
7. Denver, Colorado
8. Lincoln, Nebraska
9. Oakland, California
10. San Francisco, California

And here’s the list of the MOST sleep-deprived cities

The study shows that while Minnesotans are catching quality shut-eye, many cities are struggling. Places like Norfolk, New Orleans, Detroit, and several Ohio cities top the list for most sleep-deprived, thanks in part to things like obesity, high alcohol consumption, mental distress, and noisy environments.

1. Norfolk, Virginia
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
3. Detroit, Michigan
4. Toledo, Ohio
5. Cincinnati, Ohio
6. Indianapolis, Indiana
7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8. Laredo, Texas
9. Cleveland, Ohio
10. Memphis, Tennessee

Read the full report here.