2016.6（1）passage1

The massive decline in sleep happens so slowly and quietly that feel seems to notice the trend. Was it because the growing attraction of the Internet, video games and endless TV channels. Never disconnecting from work, no matter how it happened, millions of Americans are putting their health quality of life and even length of their life in danger. New evidence shows why getting enough sleep is the top priority. Some 40% of the Americans get less than 7 hours of shut-eye on week nights. The link between sleep and health, and bad sleep and disease is becoming clearer and clearer says LE, a sleep expert at Harvard University. For example, sleep duration has declined from some 8 hours in the 1950s to 7 in recent years, at the same time, high blood pressure is becoming an increasing problem. Blood pressure and heart rate are typically at the lowest levels during sleep people who sleep less tend to have higher blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, weight gain and other problems. Sleeping better may help fight of illness, "when people sleep deprived their higher levels of stress Hormons in their bodies which can decrease immune function" says Doctor P of Northwestern university in Chicago, a university of Chicago study shows people who sleep well live longer. So say goodnight sooner and it may help you stay active and vital to a ripe old age.