Everyone understands the importance of sleep, yet many still do not get enough of it each night. In Asia, sleep deprivation is a critical and growing health issue, with 1 in 10 people suffering from a sleep-related medical condition.

 

In an AIA sleep study in conducted in Asia (China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore), we found that 55% of people surveyed admitted to having just 6 hours or less of sleep each night. Singapore is no different, with 55% of those surveyed saying they slept 6 hours or less each night.

 

To learn more about our findings from the sleep study, as well as gain access to valuable sleep-related content, you can visit our dedicated AIA sleep content hub. Here, you can learn tips for a better night's rest, understand the benefits of having sufficient quality sleep, find out more about sleep practices from Tottenham Hotspurs players, and get sleep insights from former Manchester United and Real Madrid Midfielder David Beckham.

There is a misconception that sacrificing sleep can help you meet other opportunities of modern life, including excelling at working within tight deadlines, networking with business acquaintances and socialising with friends or picking up new skills or qualifications.

 

The truth could not be further away from this, as less sleep usually leads to detrimental implications in the long run. While you may have more waking hours to accomplish more, the reality is that you will likely be less productive during those hours. In the longer-term, you may also be at increased risk of suffering from chronic illnesses, have a weaker immune system, more erratic moods, lower energy levels and be even more stressed and anxious.

 

Insufficient sleep will likely lead to you living a poorer quality of life in general – here are five ways how.

In your quest to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible, you may think that sacrificing sleep in order to get ahead is a good trade-off. You will look hardworking and diligent to your superiors, and gain favour by meeting extremely tight deadlines.

 

While the realities of the modern working environment mean employees are often overworked and need to meet tight deadlines, the solution should not be to give up sleep.

 

You will have more hours to work, but insufficient sleep can negate the benefits of having these extra hours, especially over the long-term. Sleeping less than the recommended 7 to 8 hours can translate to cognitive impairment and daytime sleepiness which will render you less productive and more prone to mistakes.

 

Rather than advance your career, you may be held back because of poor quality work and inability to manage your time.

Having insufficient sleep can lead to impatience, resentment and even result in making poor decisions for your loved ones. Interacting with your loved ones in this manner will be harmful to your relationships in the long-run.

 

Without enough sleep, you will also experience reduced energy levels, which means you may not have the stamina to keep up with your little ones or be able to spend quality time with them growing up.

 

Not getting enough sleep can impact your health in the long-term, which will negatively impact your family's quality of life.

 

You may also be putting them at risk by driving while sleepy, as well as making poor decisions while raising your children or interacting with your spouse.

Just like your body needs air, food and water to survive, it needs sleep to function. The only difference is that the effects of sleep deprivation will be apparent over time, rather than immediately.

 

Some common health-related complications that may arise from a lack of sleep includes decreased immunity levels and an increased risk of developing diabetes, blood pressure, heart diseases and stroke.

 

As you build up sleep debt, you potentially lower life expectancy, as well as increase the chances of a poorer quality of life, measured by your health adjusted life expectancy (HALE), which is an internationally accepted indicator for the number of years you can expect to live in full health.

 

Currently, Singapore's life expectancy is close to 83.2 years, while its HALE is nearly 73.6 years, which means that Singaporeans live an average of 10 years in ill-health. Consistently clocking in less than the recommended hours of sleep can reduce your HALE, and increase the number of years you spend in ill-health.

Chronically lacking sleep has side-effects that can adversely impact your mental wellbeing.

 

Firstly, you will not be able to focus, you will feel fatigued, and you will be moody and short-tempered.

 

This may lead to depression, anxiety disorders or even behavioural issues such as violence and alcohol and substance abuse.

How you look is often a function of how healthy you are. Moreover, not looking your best can also drain your confidence levels.

 

Insufficient sleep is commonly associated with developing eye bags, dull skin, acne outbreaks or bloodshot eyes.

 

Not sleeping enough can also lead to hormonal imbalances which can impair metabolism rate and cause weight gain.

At AIA, we believe in helping our customers lead healthier, longer and better lives. In addition to our dedicated sleep content hub, we are determined to partner our customers in making small, but significant, steps towards an improved sleeping routine.

 

That is why we have started the #OneMoreHour movement. We want to drive home the point that by making small changes to improve your sleeping habits, you will see results that will compound over time and encourage you to do more.