If you’re feeling tired, it’s not just your health that suffers but has far more implications including damage to the economy, a new report says.

It seems a lack of sleep is costing the economy around $411 billion each year due to decreased work productivity in the U.S. leading experts to call it a public health problem.

The modern lifestyle is causing longer commutes, reliance on shift work and difficult hours and the 24/7 demand of services and technology has resulted in a tired population.

The study conducted by RAND Europe found lack of sleep leads to the loss of about 1.2 million working days a year just in the U.S. According to the report, other countries are suffering the effects of less shut-eye with Japan costing $138 billion, Germany $60 billion and the UK $50 billion.

“Our study shows that the effects from a lack of sleep are massive. Sleep deprivation not only influences an individual’s health and well-being but has a significant impact on a nation’s economy, with lower productivity levels and a higher mortality risk among workers,” lead author Marco Hafner said in a RAND news release. 

But how can this be rectified? The researchers say it’s simply a case of sleeping for longer that can give the economy a big boost.

“Improving individual sleep habits and duration has huge implications, with our research showing that simple changes can make a big difference. For example, if those who sleep under six hours a night increase their sleep to between six and seven hours a night, this could add $226.4 billion to the U.S. economy,” Hafner added.

Of course, this may not be an option for many but the researchers suggest being more physically active during the day to get a better quality night’s sleep and wake up more refreshed and energised. A simple change in habit could make a huge difference to your life and the country’s economy.