It’s estimated that inadequate sleep is costing Australia $66.3 billion each year. But the financial impacts pale in comparison to the cost of inadequate sleep on individual wellbeing. According to Dr Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation, sleep is the most essential core pillar of health and wellbeing.
“Even if you can improve your sleep by just 20%, you’ll have a better quality of life,” she argues. “It will impact your energy levels, mental health, weight management, self esteem and more.”
The link between sleep and health
We all know that feeling of sluggishness after a bad night’s sleep. Moira says that short-term inadequate sleep may increase the risk of injuries and accidents due to reduced alertness, decreased reaction times and poorer concentration.
Long term, the overall health risks of chronic poor sleep can increase.
“Not sleeping well for many years may increase your risk of obesity and being overweight because it disrupts the hormones that help to regulate appetite,” she explains. “There’s also an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some dementias and some cancers.”
Moira cautions against panic, saying “it’s an increased risk not a certainty. We don’t want to overstate things, but it is important to know the risks to understand just how important sleep is for our health.”
Breaking the stigma around sleep
While sleep is as essential to health as nutrition and exercise, Moira says it hasn’t received the same attention in public policy or education.
Culturally, she says, there has long been a reluctance – particularly among men – to seek help. “For years, I’d hear things like, ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead’ or see people wear sleeplessness as a badge of honour,” Moira says. “It was almost seen as weak to ask for help with sleep, as though you should just toughen up.”
That mindset is changing. “It’s now more even in terms of men and women seeking help for sleep related issues,” she notes. “People are realising that poor sleep doesn’t just make you tired, it affects your mood, focus and long-term health.”
Recognising sleep disorders
Sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless legs syndrome and sleep apnoea are widespread, yet often go undiagnosed. “We estimate around 80 percent of sleep apnoea cases remain undiagnosed,” Moira says. “It’s particularly common in men, sometimes linked to weight, but often simply to the shape of the jaw and airways.”
Typical warning signs include loud snoring, periods of stopped breathing, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches or jaw pain from teeth grinding. “Many men tell me they don’t have a sleep problem because they can fall asleep anywhere,” she says. “But if you’re that sleepy, it’s actually a red flag.”
Chronic insomnia, meanwhile, affects about 15 percent of Australians. “It’s not just about having a bad night here or there,” Moira explains. “It’s when you have ongoing difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking too early or feeling unrefreshed despite having enough opportunity for rest. And importantly, it’s when this all starts to impact your daily life.”
Creating healthier sleep habits
Simple lifestyle adjustments can make a meaningful difference. Moira encourages people to find time to unwind before bed, noting that overstimulation – especially from screens – can make it harder to switch off. “It’s not that all screen use is bad,” she clarifies. “It’s about what you’re doing and how it makes you feel. If it relaxes you, that’s fine but avoid bright light and stimulating content close to bedtime.”
Routine also matters. “Going to bed and waking up around the same time each day is one of the best predictors of good health,” she says. “Our bodies thrive on consistency, though it’s important not to be too rigid. If you’re not sleepy, don’t force it. Stay up until your body feels ready to rest.”
Other practical considerations include reducing alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, all of which can disrupt sleep quality. “Many people use alcohol to relax, but even small amounts close to bedtime can impair sleep,” Moira explains.
How workplaces can help
Moira says workplaces play an important role in supporting employee wellbeing. “Managers should ask about sleep in the same way they ask about workload or stress,” she suggests. “Encourage open conversations, make sure Employee Assistance Programs connect people with proper sleep specialists and provide education about healthy habits.”
She adds that flexible work arrangements should not blur the boundaries between work and rest. “Since COVID, many of us have lost the natural rituals that signalled the end of the workday. We need to rebuild those boundaries and create time to properly switch off.”
A message for men
Moira’s key message to men is simple: take sleep seriously. “It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s an investment in your health,” she says. “Good sleep improves your energy, alertness, mental health and reduces the risk of chronic conditions.”
Visit the Sleep Health Foundation for more information about healthy sleep and how to get more of it.
This article was written as one in a series exploring men’s health and wellbeing for International Men’s Day 2025. By recognising this day, we’re creating space for reflection on men’s health, social connection and the challenges that often go unspoken.