Health x Wellness

Singaporeans sleep less over the pandemic

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The 6th annual sleep survey by Royal Philips found that Singaporeans are experiencing sleep challenges since the beginning of the pandemic. Half of the respondents have shared that the pandemic has directly impacted their ability to sleep well.

According to the The 6th annual sleep survey by Royal Philips released to coincide with World Sleep Day 2021, the pandemic has contributed negatively to the sleep woes of Singaporeans.

Singaporeans are reporting sleeping less with an average of 6.8 hours of sleep per night (vs. 7 hours in the 2020 survey). This is further split into 6.6 hours on weekdays and 7.3 hours on the weekend. Both figures dropped when compared to the 2020 survey results.

Over half of the respondents (57 percent) surveyed shared that their sleep patterns have been altered by the pandemic.

  • 28 percent say that they sleep less each night
  • 54 percent feel that they are not getting enough sleep at night
  • 79 percent share that they do not feel well rested when waking up in the morning.

Respondents find that falling into a deep, continuous sleep is a challenge with many facing difficulties such as waking up during the night (40 percent), falling asleep (35 percent), and staying asleep (21 percent).

The top reasons for Singaporean’s lack of sleep includes:

  • Worry and stress (31 percent) – this component includes worrying or being concerned about work responsibilities, financial challenges, family, their own/families’ health and the ongoing pandemic
  • Sleeping environment (16 percent)
  • Mobile devices such as phones and tablets (13 percent) – Respondents who use their phone before falling asleep admit that it leads them to fall asleep later than they would like to, due to scrolling through social media, watching videos, texting, checking emails or reading news about the COVID-19 pandemic
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Obstructive sleep apnea worries respondents but not enough to get diagnosed

One possible reason for poor sleep quality could be obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to a study, as many as 1 in 3 Singaporeans suffer from OSA; while with up to 91 percent of people have not been diagnosed.

OSA is characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the sleep cycle, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs. Symptoms of OSA include choking or gasping for air during sleep, loud and persistent snoring and excessive daytime fatigue, and poor concentration during the day.

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The sleep survey found that fear continues to hinder individuals from getting diagnosed for sleep conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). 21 percent are afraid to take a sleep test as they don’t want to know if they have OSA, with 17 percent believing it is not necessary to be treated for OSA.

Getting enough sleep is essential for productivity and overall wellness, so it’s crucial that individuals facing persistent sleep issues take action to get
themselves diagnosed and treated for serious underlying sleep-related chronic conditions.

Ivy Lai, Country Manager, Philips Singapore

Philips launches an Online Sleep Quiz and Home Sleep Test

An Online Sleep Quiz and Home Sleep Test for individuals to assess their sleep issues and get diagnosed for OSA has been launched Philips.

Participants who are assessed as having high risk of OSA through the online sleep quiz will be offered a home sleep test at S$39 (U.P: S$350). The home sleep test will be conducted at home.

If the participant is diagnosed with OSA, they will be referred to a sleep specialist for a follow-up.

The online sleep quiz can be accessed at this link.

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