Sleep Info

A recent survey confirms what researchers and health experts already know: We’re facing a global sleep crisis.

Tens of thousands of people worldwide say their lack of sleep is affecting their work, relationships, and other aspects of their lives, according to ResMed’s fifth annual Global Sleep Survey, taken by more than 30,000 people worldwide.

“Sleep is as vital to health as diet and exercise, yet millions struggle in silence,” Dr. Carlos M. Nunez, ResMed’s Chief Medical Officer, said in a news release. “This research highlights an urgent gap in awareness and action—one that needs immediate attention, to improve global health outcomes.”

Fortune Well reported that there are three things that could be driving the global sleep deficit:

1. Stress and anxiety

Stress (57%) and anxiety (46%) were the primary sleep disruptors for survey respondents, followed by financial stresses (31%). Anxiety was a big problem for Gen Z participants (born between 1997 and 2012), with 53% noting that it contributed to their daytime exhaustion.

2. Being a woman

The ResMed survey showed that women experience poorer sleep quality than men. According to the survey:

• 38% of women struggle to fall asleep more than three times a week compared to 29% of men.

• Hormonal changes, primarily menopause, are major sleep disruptors, with nearly half (44%) of menopausal respondents reporting that they have trouble falling asleep three or more nights a week, compared to 33% of non-menopausal women. Also, staying asleep is an issue with 36% of menopausal women, compared to 28% of younger women.

Sleep experts recommend doing wind-down activities, like reading or taking a bath, before going to bed. The survey found that women (51%) are more likely than men (45%) to say that they skip pre-sleep routines, which makes it harder for them to fall and stay asleep.

3. Being disturbed by your partner

Nearly two in 10 (18%) of couples who took the survey said they agreed to have a “sleep divorce,” meaning they sleep in separate rooms to have more restful nights. A sleep divorce helps those who say their partners contribute to disrupting their sleep. For example, one in five women surveyed said their partner disrupted their sleep. The most common reason, according to the women respondents, was their partner’s snoring, loud breathing, or gasping for air (32%). Other disturbances included the partner’s restlessness (12%), a different bedtime schedule (10%), or their habit of watching TV or videos in bed (8%).

When it comes to getting better sleep, Dr. Harneet Walia, medical director of sleep at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, told Fortune Well that “we have to make sleep a priority” in the same way we do for diet and exercise.

“We all have to understand that, on average, an adult requires seven to nine hours of sleep on a regular, consistent basis,” Dr. Walia said. “So we have to first of all recognize the importance of sleep, and the consequences associated with sleep disorders.” If you have sleep problems, Dr. Walia recommends getting evaluated by an expert.

Study: People in Industrial Societies Sleep Longer, but Have Weak Circadian Function

For decades, studies and surveys have suggested that people in industrialized societies are often exhausted because they do not get as much sleep as those in less industrialized societies.
Not so, according to a study by researchers from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto Mississauga in Ontario, Canada. They found that those in industrialized societies, where people report experiencing more fatigue, slept an average of 7.1 hours per night, compared to people in less industrialized societies, who slept an average of 6.4 hours a night. The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

The investigators discovered this after analyzing data from 54 sleep studies conducted between 1967 and 2022 in 21 countries involving 5,100 people. Additionally, people in industrialized societies were asleep 88 percent of the time compared to 74 percent of the time for people in less industrialized societies.

While reviewing data, the researchers made a startling discovery: People in less industrialized societies were more in sync with their circadian rhythm than those in industrialized societies, resulting in them having far more regular sleep patterns than people in more industrialized areas. The Circadian rhythm is the body’s 24-hour internal clock that regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in the environment.

The researchers believe that people in less industrialized areas may have more exposure to natural light and a lack of nighttime screens. Those in industrialized areas typically spend more time indoors and use electronic devices during the evening, which can have “adverse impacts of circadian disruption,” the study said.

Study: Consistent Sleep Schedule Can Reduce Mortality Risk

Good sleep habits become increasingly important for adults as they get older, as research shows that poor habits can accelerate brain aging. Additionally, sleep experts recommend that adults go to bed no later than 1 a.m., regardless of their circadian rhythms.

Now, a new study published in the journal Sleep suggests another positive habit that can help adults as they age: Maintaining a consistent sleep-wake schedule. Going to bed and getting up at the same time is a stronger predictor of overall health and longevity than how long a person sleeps.
The study found that people who get seven to eight hours of consistent sleep per night, but have an irregular sleep schedule, face higher risks of strokes, heart attacks, and cancer compared to those who do not sleep as long but maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

According to HuffPostUK, the experts at BBC Science Focus said this does not mean people can get away with sleeping only four hours a night just by sticking to a regular 3 a.m. bedtime. Getting enough—but not too much—sleep still matters.

“In the study, those getting under six hours or over nine each night were at an increased risk of mortality,” the BBC Science Focus experts said. “However, although sleep duration was still important, the link between mortality and regular sleep patterns was stronger and more consistent.”

According to HuffPostUK, the experts from The Sleep Foundation offered their insights on the matter by advising: “Try to follow the same steps each night before going to bed, such as dimming the lights, quietly reading or stretching, putting on pyjamas, and brushing your teeth. Over time, those actions become cues that tell your body that it is time for sleep. To promote mental tranquility, incorporate relaxation methods such as meditation, yoga, listening to soothing music, or reading.”

Source Links:

https://fortune.com/well/article/global-sleep-crisis-costing-companies/
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/why-am-i-always-exhausted_uk_67c180bae4b00bae0887eedf
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.2319#d1e691
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-to-easily-improve-sleep_uk_67b499afe4b046fcb34095eb