New Delhi: On the eve of World Sleep Day, a study has revealed that Indians are some of the poorest sleepers in the world, clocking in an average of 6.55 hours a night.
Based on data gained between January and December 2016, the sleep statistics say that Asians get less sleep on an average than their American and European counterparts.
Of the 18 countries covered by the data, people in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK get the most sleep on an average per night. The study is conducted by a company known for its products that measure data related to one’s fitness.
“From helping maintain a healthy immune system to preserving your cognitive functions and managing a healthy weight, your sleep – or lack of – plays a critical role,” said sleep expert Dr Allison Siebern.
While people in countries like Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom sleep for an average of more than 7 hours, those in countries like India, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc. clock a little more than six hours. According to the figures, Indians sleep for around six hours and fifty-five minutes.
Along with diet and exercise, good sleep plays a critical role in maintaining health and the overall well being of a person. According to the Institute of Medicine (US), a committee on sleep medicine and research, it not only provides protection against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, but also boosts neurocognitive functions, mental health, and longevity. Meanwhile, a recent study called “Need for Sleep” found that Indian teens, who had insufficient sleep, did worse cognitively than teens on the recommended amount of sleep for their age group. The company said that it is introducing two sleep tools which will provide information on sleep quality and also give advice on how to improve sleep pattern. “By better knowing sleep quality and patterns, users can make lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, winding down before bed, and keeping a consistent sleep schedule to improve their sleep overtime,” it said in a statement.
