Aussies missing out on 22 days of sleep per year, new study reveals
We all know that feeling when your alarm goes off in the morning and you instantly know you haven't had enough sleep.
As you drag yourself out of bed cursing yourself for watching that one extra episode last night, you make a promise to yourself that you'll hit the hay a little earlier to make up for it only for something to get in the way of your well-intentioned plans.
As it happens, it's a nationwide issue with a new survey revealing that Aussies are missing out on approximately 22 days worth of sleep every year.
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A new study has revealed that Aussies are missing out on approximately 22 days worth of sleep every day. Getty Images/iStockphoto
According to the new IKEA Global Sleep Report, which is said to be one of the largest sleep studies undertaken, there is a one hour and 27 minute gap between the amount of sleep Aussies want and the amount they actually get.
This number equates to around 10 hours worth of missed sleep per week, two days a month or 22 days each year.
Those surveyed in the study revealed that, on average, Aussies would like to get seven hours and 58 minutes of sleep per night. However, Aussies are actually getting an average of six hours and 31 minutes a night making for the almost 90-minute nightly sleep gap.
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Only 22 per cent of Aussies are getting their desired eight hours or more of sleep. Nine
Only 22 per cent of Aussies, according to the study, are actually getting their desired eight hours or more of sleep.
Meanwhile, only 50 per cent of Aussies felt that they were getting enough sleep meaning there are a lot of sleepy Sallys and tired Tims walking around the country at the moment.
So what's actually keeping us from getting the Zs we so desperately want and need?
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Why are Aussies sleeping poorly?
Stress, anxiety disorders, medical conditions and sleep disorders like insomnia topped the list of what was blocking Aussies from having a good sleep with more than half of respondents struggling with these issues.
Meanwhile, eight per cent of Aussies revealed that overthinking was blocking their ability to have a good night's sleep, seven per cent cited pain and chronic pain and seven per cent cited financial stress.
"My mind doesn't turn off, always thinking of something, I go to bed worrying about something and find that I toss and turn all night and get up around 4.30 every morning," one respondent said.
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Stress, anxiety disorders, medical conditions and sleep disorders like insomnia topped the list of good sleep barriers. Getty
Shift work, work stress, irregular sleep schedules, kids and pets also made the list of barriers to good sleep among Aussies.
How to get better sleep?
With so many Aussies missing out on valuable sleep, what can we do to sleep better?
According to the Sleep Report, the number one key is to make a consistent routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time.
"Evidence shows that consistent sleep and wake times are important for mental and physical health as well as academic and cognitive performance," the report says.
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Having a consistent bed time and wakeup routine is key to better sleep, the report says. Getty
This also means doing so on the weekends as well with "social jetlag" being a big contributor to sleep trouble.
"Social jetlag occurs when your sleep schedule differs between weekdays and weekends, disrupting your circadian rhythms. Our internal clock thrives on predictability, so maintaining a stable sleep schedule - including a consistent wind-down routine - can greatly improve sleep quality," neuroscientist Dr Christian Benedict says.
Other factors to help get a better sleep include exposing yourself to plenty of daylight throughout the day, making a comfortable space at home for sleep, doing breathing exercises or meditations to unwind your mind before bed, avoiding screens before bed and doing regular exercise.
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