Sleep is a fairytale for most
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Sleep is a fairytale for most
New research released in the Pfizer Australia Health Report shows that almost ten percent of Australians are turning to sleeping tablets to help them cope with the nation’s rising rate of sleep debt.
In addition, of the one in ten who use sleeping tablets, a third admit to taking them every night.
Associate Professor Harry Teichtahl from the Australasian Sleep Association is concerned at the high use of sleep medications in the community because he believes they often don’t address the cause of the sleeping problem.
And according to the findings, sleep disturbances aren’t just a problem for those taking sleeping tablets.
Twenty percent reported being disturbed between three and five times every night. Close to two-thirds reported difficulty going to sleep. Two-in-five say they do not wake up feeling refreshed and close to two-thirds feel sleepy during the day more often than once a week.
Not surprisingly, more than 70 percent of those surveyed feel their ability to get to sleep is affected by the level of work/school or everyday stresses, and that they sleep better when relaxed.
Other key findings in this Pfizer Australia Health Report show that:
Just under 25 percent of Australians have their sleep disrupted by others in the household who snore on a regular basis
On average, Australians feel sleepy for approximately five months of the year
Just over 25 percent of Australians have their sleep regularly interrupted because others in the household have
different hours of sleep.
“Insomnia is often caused by worrying,”
Professor Teichtahl said. “This, combined with the long hours and stresses of our 24-hour society, is a recipe for leaving the majority of the population living in a constant state of fatigue. Not a healthy, or safe, way to live.
“Sleep is important because it is a period of rest and recuperation for the body and brain. Using medications to aid insomnia only masks the problem and those people who are in the habit of having an afternoon nap and trying to sleep in on the weekend are only reinforcing the cycle of poor sleeping patterns.”
Sleep deprivation and sleep restriction is very common with teenagers. According to this research, teenagers are unaware of the difference between feeling fatigued, lethargic and feeling sleepy.
Good night’s sleep a fairytale for most
Sleep Disorders Australia, and
the Australasian Sleep Association.
www.sleep.org.au
Associate Professor Harry Teichtahl from the Australasian Sleep Association is concerned at the high use of sleep medications in the community because he believes they often don’t address the cause of the sleeping problem.
And according to the findings, sleep disturbances aren’t just a problem for those taking sleeping tablets.
Twenty percent reported being disturbed between three and five times every night. Close to two-thirds reported difficulty going to sleep. Two-in-five say they do not wake up feeling refreshed and close to two-thirds feel sleepy during the day more often than once a week.
Not surprisingly, more than 70 percent of those surveyed feel their ability to get to sleep is affected by the level of work/school or everyday stresses, and that they sleep better when relaxed.
Other key findings in this Pfizer Australia Health Report show that:
Just under 25 percent of Australians have their sleep disrupted by others in the household who snore on a regular basis
On average, Australians feel sleepy for approximately five months of the year
Just over 25 percent of Australians have their sleep regularly interrupted because others in the household have
different hours of sleep.
“Insomnia is often caused by worrying,”
Professor Teichtahl said. “This, combined with the long hours and stresses of our 24-hour society, is a recipe for leaving the majority of the population living in a constant state of fatigue. Not a healthy, or safe, way to live.
“Sleep is important because it is a period of rest and recuperation for the body and brain. Using medications to aid insomnia only masks the problem and those people who are in the habit of having an afternoon nap and trying to sleep in on the weekend are only reinforcing the cycle of poor sleeping patterns.”
Sleep deprivation and sleep restriction is very common with teenagers. According to this research, teenagers are unaware of the difference between feeling fatigued, lethargic and feeling sleepy.
Good night’s sleep a fairytale for most
Sleep Disorders Australia, and
the Australasian Sleep Association.
www.sleep.org.au
