Do you get enough sleep in UAE?

A majority of residents don't get enough hours of sleep which is taking a toll on their health

UAE residents are losing sleep over work-related stress and are busy checking emails just before bedtime. Only 12 per cent are getting the recommended eight hours or more of sleep each night.
In results from a survey released ahead of World Sleep Day today, 30 per cent of respondents said that Saturday nights - the night before starting a work week - are the worst for sleep. Another 82 per cent said that they check emails before going to bed, with 60 per cent doing so on a regular basis.
A quarter of the residents said that work-related stress was the main factor behind poor sleep, closely followed by financial stress (21 per cent).
With these results in hand, doctors are advising residents to address sleep related issues to help prevent risks associated with lack of sleep in the future.
The research was commissioned by Bupa Global and conducted by YouGov omnibus survey with a sample size of 1,001 during the period between February and March 2017.
Aside from the survey, doctors say common problems like snoring and insomnia can cause sleep loss.
Dr Fiona McAndrew, General Practitioner, and Ana Noia, Senior Clinical Physiologist in Neurophysiology and Sleep at the London-based Cromwell hospital which has tied up with Bupa, have said that sleep related issues should be addressed.
Dr McAndrew, who refers to lack of sleep as one of the most common conditions seen by GPs, highlights the importance for people to monitor their sleep and be aware of the impact of lack of sleep on their health.
"Insomnia affects about a third of the global population at some point in their lifetime. Most adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep a night, but many people experience difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, frequent waking, early morning waking and difficulty getting back to sleep," she said.
"Sleep is just as important for your health as diet and exercise. It is vital to maintaining normal levels of cognitive skills, motivation, physical and mental health," said Ana.
"People who do not sleep well often have complaints of memory and attention problems as well as general fatigue and lack of energy. Lack of sleep can also lead to immune deficiency and increased risk of cardiovascular problems."
A number of residents Khaleej Times spoke to said that they could not get more than five hours of sleep during the work week due to time lost in travelling.
"My alarm always tells me five hours 40 minutes. I cannot sleep more than six hours because I reach home by 6pm then dinner preps, homework time, a bit of housework. By this time it is already past 10.30pm," said Fatima Khaimani, a banker.
At least six other people responded by saying they couldn't sleep beyond six hours due to the same work routines. While some women said they had time to go back to sleep after sending off their children to school, many others could not catch up with sleep.
"There is so much to do until the day ends at 11.30pm and then we have to be up by 5.30am," said Arva Sakarwala.
Karim Idilby, General Manager for Bupa Global in Africa, India and the Middle East added: "Our research on sleep and wellness indicates that consumers recognise some of the drivers of poor sleep and are looking for solutions to improve their overall wellbeing."
Humans spend around a third of their lifetimes sleeping

• If you live to 90, the chances are you will have spent approximately 30 years asleep.
• An adult, on average, needs between seven to nine hours of sleep daily. This varies from person to person and decreases as we get older
• Your sleeping habits can impact your appetite and weight negatively, and make you more susceptible to work accidents and longer reaction times when driving
• Obstructive sleep apnoea, snoring and difficulties falling asleep or maintaining sleep are frequently seen in the general population.

Tips for better sleep
Don't exercise three to four hours before bedtimes as it elevates adrenaline levels and heart rate, which will make falling asleep harder.
Bye-bye technology: The blue light emitted by phones, tablets and TVs stops your body from producing the hormone melatonin, which is essential for good sleep.
Temperature: Your bedroom needs to be cool and dark, as light and warmth slow the production of melatonin, our 'sleep hormone'.
20 minute rule: If you are struggling to sleep, get up and do something 'boring' or relaxing, such as reading or ironing, for 20 minutes then go back to bed.
Regular bed time: A stable bedtime routine helps the heart filter out stress hormones, as well as hormones related to satiety and hunger.
Limited nap time: Limit your nap to 45 minutes or less, especially if you need to do something when you wake up.
Stop the caffeine: Avoid caffeine for up to 6 hours before bedtime
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com