The human body relies heavily on sleep. Getting a good night's rest helps us feel rejuvenated, improves attitude, reduces our risk of illness, and restores critical thinking abilities and reaction time that might be impeded by tiredness. On the other hand, continual sleep deprivation can have a disastrous effect on our lives — anyone who has pulled one too many all-nighters due to work, family, or school commitments can attest to this.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults get 7 or more hours of sleep each night. Many of us end up getting less than that, so the CDC has studied and analyzed the rates of low sleep in cities across the United States. The study also includes data on average bedtimes, which generally are between 11:00 and midnight.

The following infographic from Sleepopolis lists the top 100 cities with the highest percentage of residents who sleep less than the recommended amount. Click here to view a full-size version of this graphic.

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Taking a quick look at the list, you may notice that many of the top cities have rates of poverty, unemployment, and violent crime that are far above the national average. It's difficult to say whether the sleeplessness is a byproduct of these factors or whether it exacerbates them — both may be true. Studies have linked sleep deprivation with increased aggression and reduced impulse control, so it's a factor worth considering if you visit the cities on this list.

Written by Patrick McCarthy