This Working Life The power of a good night’s sleep
Jun 20, 2025
Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation and a sleep psychologist, teams up with Charlotte Gupta, a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow specializing in shift work. They reveal that 40% of Australians are sleep-deprived, primarily due to work stress. Important insights include the economic impact of sleep issues, costing $66.3 billion annually. They also discuss effective self-help strategies for better sleep, emphasizing a supportive sleep environment and healthy bedtime routines. Plus, they introduce the Bedtime Window initiative for community support.
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Prevalence of Sleep Issues in Australia
- About 50% of Australians report insufficient sleep, half due to workload or mental strain, the other half due to medical issues.
- Only about 15% suffer chronic insomnia diagnosed by strict criteria over many months and impact on function.
Economic Impact of Poor Sleep
- Inadequate sleep in Australia cost $66.3 billion in lost productivity and health costs in 2016-2017.
- Sleep health is an emerging policy priority but still lacks widespread government recognition and support.
Work's Negative Impact on Sleep and Performance
- Work often negatively impacts sleep through stress, irregular hours, and reduced sleep opportunity.
- Poor sleep increases irritability, worsens mood, slows cognitive and physical function, and raises accident risk.