New Delhi: Sleep is and has always been one of the most important factors of wellbeing. Needless to say, this necessity often takes a backseat for students or corporate employees dealing with a great deal of stress, with little or no knowledge of the possibilities that might follow. A 2025 survey by LocalCircles has given insights into an astonishing truth: only 59% of Indians get less than six hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Even more alarming is that only half of them later manage to catch up on lost sleep. Major culprits of this sleeplessness are our fast-paced lifestyle, long work hours, late-night screen exposure, and constant stress.
State of sleep disorders in the world
Among those surveyed, 72% were reported to wake up at midnight, often to use the washroom or due to discomfort caused by medical issues like sleep apnoea, noise, or even mosquitoes. This results in poor sleep quality that leaves people drained and mentally irritated. Not only in India but globally, sleep deprivation is now considered a public health epidemic in many countries. Research also says that prolonged lack of sleep can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immunity, and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Moreover, it affects productivity, focus, and disturbs emotional balance. What’s worse is that people believe that “catching up” on weekends will fix the issue, but the fact is that 38% of Indians do not get proper sleep on the weekends.
How does a lack of sleep affect metabolism?
Prolonged lack of quality sleep has serious hormonal and physiological consequences. Sleeplessness disrupts the balance of hunger-regulating hormones—ghrelin (which increases appetite) and leptin (which signals fullness), often leading to over-eating and weight gain. It also impairs insulin sensitivity, raising the risk of type 2 diabetes. Chronic sleep deprivation also triggers elevated levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. An increase in cortisol not only weakens immunity but also contributes to high blood pressure and inflammation, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Beyond diabetes and weight gain
On a cellular level, lack of sleep reduces the secretion of growth hormone, hence compromising the ability of tissues to repair and regenerate. Which occurs primarily during deep sleep. Neurologically, sleep deprivation adversely affects memory function, decision-making power, and emotional well-being. Over time, it can also lead to mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. For students, professionals, and anyone trying to function at their best, the cognitive slowdown caused by a lack of sleep can be severely limiting.
Regular disruption in sleep patterns comes at a cost that no amount of caffeine or weekend sleep-ins can undo.
How to improve our sleep hygiene?
- We need to maintain a consistent sleep schedule
- Most important: stop watching the screen half an hour before bed
- Avoid caffeine in the evening
- Keep your bedroom cool and quiet
- Indulge in calming activities like reading, meditation, or light stretching before sleep.
If these points do not help, it is better to visit a doctor. Sleep is not when our body is in a passive state; it’s when the body repairs, detoxifies, and prepares itself for the next day. The solution lies in treating sleep as a priority, not an afterthought.
Not only in India but globally, sleep deprivation is now considered a public health epidemic in many countries. Research also says that prolonged lack of sleep can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immunity, and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
