Are you getting enough?
Sleep that is.
New figures show that almost half of Coasties are not spending enough time in bed.
And the community is suffering as a result.
Sleep deprivation is sweeping the nation, and the Central Coast is included in the decrease in downtime. Which could be detrimental to the whole community with fatigue-related inattention or injuries.
According to a national sleep study carried out in 2015, the average Aussie aged 35 to 54 years old gets just over 7 hours of shuteye- the recommendation is for 7-9 hours a night.
The reported average sleep time is 7 hours a night, but 12% say they sleep less than 5.5 hours.
And research, published in the Sleep Health Journal February 2017, shows 33 to 45% of adults sleep poorly, or not long enough most nights leaving them fatigued and irritable.
The study shows a sleep-deprivation “epidemic”, and apnea, insomnia, and restless legs are to blame.
- 8% of respondents suffer from sleep apnea
- 20% reported significant insomnia
- 18% of adults are kept awake by restless legs
Snoring is also an issue, with disturbed sleep from frequent loud snoring reported by 24% of men and 17% of women.
76% of those who suffer from insufficient sleep reported daytime impairment or other sleep-related symptoms. 29% reported making errors at work due to sleepiness.
What’s even worse is the study shows too many are driving tired…with almost one-third of respondents saying they drove while drowsy, a fifth have actually nodded off behind the wheel, and 5% had an accident in the past 12 months because they fell asleep.
NSW Police report that fatigue is 1 of the 3 big killers, and driving tired is twice as likely to result in a fatality: sleeping drivers can’t steer or brake. Being awake for 17 hours has a similar effect on performance as a blood alcohol content of 0.05; so if you do suffer from sleep problems, Stop, Revive, Survive!
Check if you’re getting enough, or pick up some tips to get some more, see our story from Sleep Deprivation Week 2016 here
And if you’re suffering sleep loss, see your GP, check in with the Sleep Investigation Unit of Central Coast Local Health District (click pic for link)
