With nearly half (48%) of Australian adults reporting at least two sleep-related problems¹, many of us aren’t getting the restful sleep we need to keep ourselves healthy.

We go into the importance of sleep and how it directly affects your health and wellbeing.

Why do I need to get the right amount of sleep?

Getting the right amount of sleep is essential for your health as it repairs your body and your mind².

Although scientists don’t fully understand why we need so much sleep, sleep helps control your appetite and weight as well as keeping your immune system strong.

The right amount of sleep for you depends on how old you are, as your sleep needs can change with your age.

For adults aged 26 to 64, you generally need around seven to nine hours of sleep.

For older adults aged 65 and over, you generally need around seven to eight hours of sleep³.

Please note that this is just a guide, as different people have different sleep needs.

Why is getting restful sleep important for my health?

It’s been suggested by Harvard⁴ that because our bodies regulate sleep in the same way that they regulate eating and breathing, sleep may serve a critical role in our health and wellbeing.

Ensuring that we get restful sleep is vital for your health, as sleep can allow for important bodily functions to take place, including:

• Physical recovery and repair

• Support in brain development

• Improving memory, mood and concentration

• Helping cardiac function

Without getting enough sleep, it’s more likely that you may have problems with thinking, concentration, reaction times and mood, which make it harder to perform your daily tasks and increase the risk of accidents⁵.

If you continue to go with insufficient sleep regularly, it can contribute to long-term health problems, including⁵:

• Poor mental health

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

How can I get more sleep if I’m not getting enough?

If you’ve realised that you’re not getting enough sleep, there are a few fixes for that, which can include⁵:

• Sticking to regular sleep patterns

• Avoiding caffeine and cigarettes as these are stimulants

• Avoiding alcohol before bed as it can disrupt your sleep cycle

By adding these tips and more, it can help your body to recognise that once you’re in bed, it’s time for sleep.

Some people have had success with sleep products that are designed to help you create a restful sleeping environment. This can include ear plugs, eye masks and more.

We know that getting restful sleep is essential for your health, so feel free to browse our range of Sleep Solutions products today.

References

¹Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Sleep problems as a risk factor for chronic conditions, accessed 10 March 2023.

²Better Health Victoria, Sleep Explained, accessed 10 March 2023.

³Sleep Health Foundation Australia, How much sleep do you really need?, accessed 10 March 2023.

⁴Harvard Medical School, Why do we sleep?, accessed 10 March 2023

⁵Healthdirect, Sleep, accessed 10 March 2023