Australians not getting enough sleep

A new national MBF Healthwatch survey shows that Australia is becoming a nation of sleep-deprived people with 51% saying they don’t get enough sleep.

The health problems linked to the lingering after effect of chronic exhaustion have been given a name – ‘semi-somnia’.

Long hours, work related stress and job insecurity were rated among the top factors contributing to Australians becoming ‘semi-somniacs’. According to the MBF Healthwatch survey, 44% of Australians say they come home from work feeling exhausted.

“People tend to forget that sleep is the third dimension of health and wellbeing after exercise and a healthy diet. It is no surprise that more than half of Australians report that they don’t get enough sleep,” says MBF chief medical officer, Dr Christine Bennett.

Australians are not alone in their sleep deprivation. A British sleep expert, Dr Neil Stanley, coined the term ‘semi-somnia’ – a condition akin to insomnia – following recent research into UK sleep patterns. Those who take longer than half an hour to fall asleep, wake frequently during the night or too early in the morning are said to be classic ‘semi-somniacs’.

“Sleep experts recommend that adults get 7-8 hours sleep each night,” said Dr Bennett.

“The message is loud and clear that getting sufficient quality sleep is vital for our health and wellbeing. Inadequate sleep and the chronic exhaustion of ‘semi-somnia’ are signals that we need to wind down properly and give sleep a chance.”