A lack of sleep affects your work life, social life and your overall general well being. Every day, millions of people wake up and go for their usual morning jog or walk and reckon that they are doing their bit to stay healthy. However, people don’t realise that if they used an alarm clock to wake up, it may be healthier to stay in bed.
In fact, 30 - 40% of adults suffer from insomnia within a given year. Ten to 15 % reported suffering from chronic insomnia and 95% of people suffering from a sleep disorder remain undiagnosed.
The Pace of Modern Life Causing Insomnia
The pace of modern life is creating sleep problems not only among adults and teenagers but also among young children. Research from the University of Michigan Health Systems suggest that children also have trouble sleeping. Results of a survey of children from kindergarten through to fourth grade teachers indicated that 10% of children fell asleep in class.
Sleep is an essential part of a person's well being and a lack of sleep can affect mood behaviour and overall performance. According to the National Sleep Foundation, insufficient sleep contributes to difficulties in concentrating, carelessness when decision making and the when following instructions. Additionally, inadequate sleep also leads to the inability for an individual to restore themselves physically, emotionally, and cognitively.
Teenage Sleep During Times of Stress
Adults require seven to nine hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep and teenagers need 10 hours of sleep a night, but particularly during times of high stress and anxiety. Research from the Newcastle Sleep Disorders Centre suggests that two out of three adults report sleeping between seven to eight and a half hours per night.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, students who don't get enough sleep could end up suffering form more than just tiredness; serious consequences include seizures, stroke and heart attacks.
Sleep Disruption Symptoms
The majority of people are surprised to find that sleep disruption or insomnia can actually include having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and having nightmares or waking up early. Adequate sleep is essential for peak performance and common sleep disorders include sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia and restless legs syndrome (RLS).
References:
National Sleep Foundation (2007). All About Sleep. Retrieved September 26 2009, From the National Sleep Foundation Web site: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/hottopics/index.php?secid=17&id=175.
The University of Michigan Health System. Sleep Problems: Your Child. Retreived September 26 2009, From: http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/sleep.htm
BC Medical Services Staff. (n.d.) Sleep disorder statistics and facts. Retrieved September 26 2009 From: http://www.bcmedsvcs.com/Sleep%20disorder%20statistics%20and%20facts.html
Olson, LG. (1997). A community survey of insomnia in Newcastle, NSW. Newcastle Sleep Disorders Centre. Aust J Public Health.
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