Sleep

Dr Bidmade

Sleep

Sleep. Something that is essential to good health and function, yet some of us only dream of having it.  We should spend ⅓ of our lives sleeping. But why?

Sleeping provides many benefits. Sleep allows for the body to enhance its immune response by repairing tissues, nerve cells, motor learning and memory formation. 

7 - 9 hours of sleep a night is recommended for anyone over the age of 18 years. 

⅖ Australian adults  (10.3 million people) do not meet this recommendation, with only ⅕ sleeping well for the recommended 7-9 hours nightly.

Chronic sleep deprivation can result in workplace and transport accidents, with 20% of Australian adults at some point falling asleep whilst driving. Consistently getting inadequate sleep can increase the risk of developing mental and physical illness including;

  • Heart disease
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Depression
  • Insomnia.

Sleep hygiene is the use of healthy habits which can help with having a good night's sleep. Poor sleep hygiene can contribute to poor sleep, negatively impacting our health by developing into the conditions listed above, or by presenting as pain. Examples of changeable poor sleep hygiene include;

  • Inconsistent times of going to sleep and waking up
    • Work schedules - eg shift-work
    • Caring for newborn babies and infants
    • Busy lifestyles with lots of social gatherings
    • Pain impacting ability to go to sleep
  • Exercising or eating large meals, alcohol and or caffeine too close to bed time (within 1-2 hours)
  • Using electronic devices before sleeping  
    • Including television, computer or mobile phone use
  • Stress

Struggling to meet the recommended sleep guidelines? Your practitioner can provide advice and suggestions that may help you get a good night's rest.

Australia, A. (2022). Asleep on the job: Costs of inadequate sleep in Australia. Retrieved 30 August 2022, from https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/news/special-reports/asleep-on-the-job-costs-of-inadequate-sleep-in-australia.html 

Australian Sleep Statistics: Studies, Surveys, Stats & Facts (2022). (2022). Retrieved 30 August 2022, from https://www.sleepysexpress.com.au/blog/australian-sleep-statistics

(2022). Retrieved 30 August 2022, from https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/files/pdfs/Sleep-Needs-Across-Lifespan.pdf