World Sleep Day 2023: Why Indians are
waking up tired. All you need to know

Produced By: Smriti
Designed By: Pragati

World Sleep Day is celebrated on a Friday before the spring vernal equinox every year and this year it falls on March 17. World Sleep Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of sleep and aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems, including sleep related disorders. How do Indians fare when it comes to sleeping habits? A recent survey decoded this

World Sleep Day 2023: Theme

Decoding India's
sleeping habits

According to a recent survey, 55 per cent of India's population has been going to bed post 11 pm, while last year the number was 66 per cent. Despite a reduction in late-night sleepers, the survey revealed an 11 per cent increase since 2022 in the number of people who didn’t feel refreshed on waking up in the morning

61 per cent of male respondents stated that they felt refreshed in the mornings, which was significantly higher compared to 53 per cent of female respondents. Compared to last year, the number of women feeling refreshed upon waking up in the morning has reduced by 25 per cent

'Early to bed, tired to rise'

India's sleep crisis decoded

As per the survey 'Great Indian Sleep Scorecard' by Wakefit.co, worrying about the future combined with excessive usage of cell phones before bedtime has led to deteriorating sleep habits in Indians

The survey revealed that there was a 38 per cent increase in the number of people staying up late at night worrying about their future, while a whopping 87 per cent of Indians still use their phones just before bedtime

Great Indian Sleep
Scorecard survey by Wakefit

Interestingly, the year also witnessed a growing number of under 18-year-olds prioritising their sleep health. There was a 200 per cent increase in the number of under 18-year-olds going to bed before 10 pm

'Under 18-year-olds
prioritising their
sleep health'

What's more is that the year 2023 witnessed a 42 per cent increase in people who slept in places other than their beds. Not maintaining a dedicated sleep space can be a serious cause of disturbed sleep, the survey added

Sleeping pattern of Indians

The report reveals that 87 per cent of Indians use their phones before bedtime and this can affect sleep through the stimulating effects of light emitted by digital screens. Even as the consumption of social media has increased, it was highlighted that late-night binge-watching has reduced by 40 per cent in women versus 33 per cent in men since last year

'Social media reigns supreme'

Almost one in three people believe that they have insomnia, with 90 per cent of Indians waking up at least once or twice during the night, the Wakefit survey added further. Insomnia was more prevalent among middle-aged people

90% Indians wake up at
least once or twice during
the night

While this year saw a 40 per cent increase in men worrying about their future, this number increased by 28 per cent among women, revealed the survey

Surging night time anxiety