Survey reveals a whopping 59% of Indians are sleep-deprived
What's the story
A recent survey conducted by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles has revealed that nearly 59% of Indians get less than six hours of sleep every night. The survey, which polled over 43,000 respondents from 348 districts, found only a small fraction (2%) who managed to get eight to 10 hours of sleep. This alarming trend highlights the widespread issue of sleep deprivation in India.
Sleep disruptors
Factors contributing to sleep deprivation
The survey revealed that frequent night-time disruptions are a major reason why Indians aren't able to get uninterrupted rest. Among those facing sleep interruptions, a whopping 72% blamed waking up for bathroom trips as the main culprit. Poor sleep schedules kept 25% awake, while external factors like noise and mosquitoes disturbed sleep for 22%. Medical conditions like sleep apnea were responsible for disturbances in 9% of respondents. Surprisingly, only 6% cited mobile calls or messages as a cause of disrupted sleep.
Routine challenges
Impact of late dinners and early mornings
Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, explained that for many Indians, late dinners post 9:00pm due to working hours and long commutes are common. This leaves little time for sleep before an early morning routine. Taparia stressed that improving sleep quantity and quality requires a change. The survey also revealed that 47% of employed Indians admitted to taking sick leave at least once due to lack of sleep.
Consequences
Health risks associated with chronic sleep deprivation
Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with severe health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and metabolic disorders like Type 2 diabetes. Even though we know the risks, we tend to resort to quick fixes like napping on weekends or sleeping longer during holidays. But these temporary fixes don't make up for regular sleep deprivation. The survey highlights that "healthy sleep requires avoiding disruptions that inhibit sleep continuity."
Sleep tips
Strategies to improve sleep quality
To combat sleep deprivation, the survey suggests 10 simple habits: stick to a consistent daily routine, cut down on caffeine especially in the evening, turn off screens before bedtime, avoid going to bed hungry or on a full stomach. It also recommends regular exercise but not too close to bedtime; limiting beverages before bed to reduce bathroom trips at night; keeping your bedroom dark and quiet for an ideal sleep environment; investing in comfortable mattress, pillows, and bedding.