Running on Empty: The States Where Sleep Is a Luxury, Not a Given

Let’s be honest for a second…
Sleep shouldn’t feel like a luxury. But for many Americans, it absolutely does.

A new April 2026 report from Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers reveals that in several states, nearly half of workers aren’t getting enough rest—and it’s starting to show in their health, stress levels, and overall quality of life.

With work stress linked to as many as 120,000 deaths each year, this isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s about long-term wellness.

Where Workers Are Losing Sleep the Most

Topping the list is West Virginia, where the pressure of work is hitting hardest.

• Nearly 4 in 10 residents are sleeping less than the recommended 6–7 hours
• Over 42% say they don’t have time to socialize
• High rates of workplace injuries and depression

In simple terms? Life feels like a constant cycle of work, rest (barely), repeat.

The States Feeling the Most Burnout

It’s not just one state—this is a pattern across the country:

Vermont – Stress You Don’t Expect
Low disposable income is creating high stress. Workers here have some of the tightest budgets in the country, adding financial anxiety to the mix.

Louisiana – The Overworked State
With an average 46-hour workweek, many residents are juggling multiple jobs—leaving little time for rest, wellness, or even basic self-care.

Mississippi – Sleep Is Suffering
Long hours and lower income are taking a toll, with over a third of residents experiencing sleep deprivation and many reporting loneliness.

Arkansas – Stress You Can Feel
More than 37% of workers aren’t getting enough sleep, while anxiety and lack of social time continue to rise.

What’s Actually Causing the Stress?

This study didn’t just look at one factor—it looked at the full picture of modern work life:

• Long working hours
• Low disposable income
• Commute times
• Workplace injuries
• Even how often people are searching things like “work stress” online

All of these combined created an Occupational Stress Index, highlighting where work-life balance is struggling the most.

Why Sleep Matters More Than We Think

Here’s where it gets real.

According to the study, consistently getting less than seven hours of sleep isn’t just exhausting—it’s risky. It’s linked to:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Increased workplace mistakes and injuries

And often? The blame falls on the worker… not the workload.

Here’s an overview of the top 10 states with the highest occupational stress:

State	Average Weekly Working Hours	Disposable Income	Average Commute Time (minutes)	Work Injuries and Illnesses per 100 Full-Time Workers	Occupational Stress Searches per 100k ppl	Occupational Health Impact Score	Occupational Stress Index
West Virginia	38	$13.3K	26	3	184	100	92
Vermont	37	$3.5K	23	4	424	51	88
Louisiana	46	$13.1K	26	1	55	76	85
Mississippi	41	$8.9K	25	2	114	72	82
Arkansas	38	$9.2K	22	2	100	78	78
Oklahoma	41	$11.0K	22	2	97	70	77
Wyoming	41	$14.3K	18	3	316	35	75
Kentucky	42	$13.5K	24	2	94	71	74
Maine	39	$19.0K	24	4	291	54	73
Rhode Island	41	$11.3K	25	2	207	50	72

You can see more data and where other states are ranking by following this link.

The Bottom Line

We love a productive day, a full calendar, and chasing our goals…
But not at the expense of our health.

Because here’s the truth:
You can’t live your best life—on any budget—if you’re constantly running on empty.

Sometimes the most “luxurious” thing you can do…
is simply get a good night’s sleep.