Poor sleep contributes to anxiety, depression, and reduced productivity, experts warn

He emphasizes that sleep's impact on mental well-being is often underestimated, noting that it is crucial for cognitive functioning and emotional regulation, not just physical energy. De Gouveia states that between a third and half of people regularly fail to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night. He identifies modern lifestyle habits, such as late-night "doomscrolling" and blue light exposure from screens, as growing threats to sleep quality.

Stress is also a major disruptor, with racing thoughts delaying sleep onset. Women are statistically more prone to sleep difficulties due to physiological and social factors, including childcare responsibilities. De Gouveia advises against using alcohol or cannabis as sleep aids due to their disruptive effects on natural sleep cycles.

He recommends establishing a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding devices and dimming lights 20 minutes before bed, limiting caffeine after lunch and fluids before bedtime, maintaining a cool and comfortable sleeping environment, ensuring a quiet space, and avoiding oversleeping or long daytime naps. He urges individuals with persistent sleep problems to seek professional help to rule out underlying physical causes or address stress and anxiety with a mental health professional.