8 in 10 Singaporeans use sleep hacks, but country still most sleep-deprived globally, with only 44% getting the recommended 7 hours: study
The only other regions surveyed where similar sleep-deprivation was found were the UAE (at 45 per cent) and Indonesia (at 48 per cent).
SINGAPORE — If you find yourself always looking forward to more sleep, you're definitely not alone in Singapore. As the world observes World Sleep Day on Friday (15 March), a recent study conducted by UK-based YouGov ranked Singapore right at the top of the countries which need more sleep.
According to the study, Singaporeans are the most sleep-deprived among the 17 markets surveyed, with 54 per cent getting less than the recommended seven hours of sleep. This is despite 8 in 10 Singaporeans using sleep hacks, the study found.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) recommend seven hours of sleep per night for optimal health. However, with only 44 per cent of Singaporeans meeting this, more than half of the population regularly functions on less sleep than they need.
According to the study, the only other regions surveyed where similar sleep-deprivation was found were the UAE (at 45 per cent) and Indonesia (at 48 per cent).
In contrast, countries like Denmark and Germany boast higher proportions of residents getting adequate sleep, with 67 per cent and 65 per cent respectively meeting or exceeding the seven-hour mark.
Similarly, France (62 per cent), Spain (61 per cent), and India (60 per cent) also fare better in terms of sleep duration compared to Singapore.
Singaporeans also among the top 10 when it comes to sleep hacks
Despite the statistics on sleep deprivation, Singapore also ranks 7th when it comes to using sleep hacks, with 81 per cent of respondents engaging in efforts to improve their sleep quality.
These included upgrading their mattress, pillow, or bedding (28 per cent), refraining from looking at digital screens before bedtime (30 per cent), and maintaining a consistent nightly bedtime (44 per cent).
Meanwhile, 8 per cent of Singaporeans said they use earplugs or earbuds.
Similar to Singapore, the most common sleep hacks worldwide are managing screen exposure before bed and a consistent bedtime, the study found.
Singaporeans less inclined to consume sleep supplements or medication
While a majority of Singaporeans utilise sleep hacks, they are less likely to resort to sleep supplements or medication, the study also found.
Only 15 per cent of respondents reported using sleep aids such as melatonin or prescribed sleeping pills, which is a lower percentage compared to top-scoring countries like the US (36 per cent), Canada (34 per cent), and Australia (33 per cent).
The same proportion (15 per cent) of Singaporeans also said they consume food or drink with sleep-aiding properties, such as chamomile or gingko biloba tea.
Singaporeans also show more inclination to alter their sleeping environment, with almost a quarter (23 per cent) installing blackout curtains. Additionally, 16 per cent also reported using aromatherapy.
The YouGov study used data drawn from surveys of adults aged 18 and above in these markets, with sample sizes ranging from 510 to 2,044 per market.
Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
