The 2024 November Presidential Election Took Its Toll on Texas

Election Night and Its Toll on Sleep in Texas: How Abilene Stayed Up Too Late

The 2024 presidential election didn’t just affect politics; it took a toll on sleep patterns across the Lone Star State, especially here in West Texas. While some were celebrating, others found themselves glued to the TV, their sleep disrupted by the anxiety of waiting for the results. In Abilene, there were watch parties in nearly every neighborhood, at local bars, and even at a church. And honestly, who can blame them? Election nights are intense! But the morning after? That’s when the real toll became clear.

Texas Was Among the Hardest Hit States by Sleep Deprivation

As predicted by a recent report from HostingAdvice.com, Texas was among the states hit hardest by sleep deprivation. In fact, many co-workers in Abilene were noticeably absent the next day. No surprise, right? They were still recovering from staying up too late. Between the Daylight Saving Time change and the nail-biting suspense, insomnia became a shared experience. And let's not forget that many might have been suffering from a hangover.

From Houston to Abilene Texans Watched the Election

A recent Snap Poll from HostingAdvice surveyed 3,000 voters across the country, revealing that voters were staying up much later than usual to catch the results. And it wasn’t just in big cities like Dallas and Houston, Abilene had its fair share of late-night election-watchers. With bars playing host to groups of excited, anxious voters, it's a wonder anyone in the Big Country got any sleep at all.

Sleep Deprivation Across Texas

According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly one in five U.S. adults, about 45 million people, struggled with sleep during the election. In Texas, people stayed up later than usual, Alabama’s late-night crowd went to bed at 12:47 AM, while Texans were winding down at 12:45 AM. Still, no one could seem to beat New Hampshire, where the election drama kept people awake until 4:06 AM.

Here in Abilene, many stayed glued to their screens, not just for the results, but for every minute of suspense. The watch parties and gatherings weren’t exactly conducive to getting a good night’s rest. And now, we’re all paying the price, many Texans reported feeling the impact of disrupted sleep long after Election Day.

The Risks of Staying Up Too Late

While we’re all for good times and a little bit of late-night fun, there are risks to this collective sleep deprivation. Studies show that sleep is crucial for overall health, and during high-stress events like elections, lack of sleep can affect our mood, concentration, and health.

As Joseph Dzierzewski from the National Sleep Foundation states, “The dynamics of stressful societal events like elections can affect public mood, which in turn, affects sleep health." So, while it may have been fun to gather with friends and neighbors, it’s important to remember that good sleep hygiene is essential, especially after a stressful night like that.

Conclusion: Sleep, Texas-Style

As much as we love a good party in Texas, perhaps next time we’ll keep an eye on our sleep schedules a little more closely. While watch parties in Abilene and beyond were a blast, it’s clear that they came with a price. So, let’s take a cue from the Aloha State, where residents turned in early, and give ourselves the gift of better sleep, maybe even next election season.