Shattering silence: The mental health toll of India’s sleep crisis

Lack of sleep is common in recent times, due to various reasons, on young adults potentially affecting their mental health, physical health & lifespan. Studies show that insufficient sleep significantly harms mental health. India must prioritize better sleep, and technology can help. People have tried alternatives like white noise, sleep music, supplements and meditation, but many still struggle. Some use smart sleep trackers and relaxation apps, while others try blue light filters or aromatherapy. The effectiveness varies, so a holistic approach is needed. As India tackles this health concern, a balanced strategy combining traditional and tech solutions could be a more nuanced way to address widespread insomnia.

Sleepless night’s impact:
Missing just one night’s sleep can impact mood, focus, and decision-making. Over time, lack of sleep intensifies into further mental health repercussions. Studies connect it to higher-risk disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, and PTSD. Sleep deprivation also worsens symptoms for those already diagnosed. For India’s elderly, poor sleep leads to accelerated cognitive decline and dementia. Even for healthy adults, ongoing sleep loss causes emotional volatility, impaired memory, and burnout – reducing workplace productivity. Moreover, recent studies have cast a spotlight on the alarming connection between insufficient sleep and rising rates of mental imbalance, painting a morbid picture of the toll this crisis takes on mental health. The inability to get adequate sleep, becomes a potent factor in pushing people over the edge, worsening feelings of hopelessness and desperation. Therefore, as is evident, making sleep health a national priority could prevent an impending mental health crisis.

Making Sleep a National Priority
Addressing India’s sleep deficit requires policy-level changes by healthcare leaders. One solution is expanding public education campaigns that teach the benefits of adequate sleep for mental health. Workplace wellness initiatives should also integrate sleep hygiene. Furthermore, regulating work hours and commute times enables employees to have sufficient time for rest. Healthcare access must be improved for Indians with sleep disorders. Specialized sleep clinics and treatment options are limited or costly currently. Given this, a lucrative option is to use technological innovations, and convenient options like uber mindful wearable devices, to address the problem and make solutions accessible. Framing sleep as a lifestyle necessity rather than a medical problem, and making available devices that can be used every day to help those struggling can improve the condition.

How Technology is Working to Improve Indian Sleep Health?
Technology has a dual impact on sleep – both impeding and aiding it. While devices keep Indians constantly connected and overstimulated, innovative health tech ‘uber mindful wearables’ now enables better sleep too. Wearable headbands using magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain stem help calm anxious thoughts, achieve a state of mindfulness and allow one to enter a state of relaxation. Additionally, the wearable trackers that monitor heart rhythms, body temperature and movement can give customized recommendations for better quality sleep. Made affordable and accessible, such tech can be a game-changer for countering India’s sleep deprivation crisis on a large scale.

Bottomline
The pressing need for a comprehensive sleep health initiative in India is more apparent than ever, resonating among the multitude of Indians grappling with sleep issues. Acknowledging the profound influence of sleep on mental wellness and harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technological solutions could benefit millions and potentially save countless lives. The challenge lies in cultivating a societal shift where prioritizing sleep is viewed as a strategic investment in the holistic health and future resilience of our nation. It’s high time we recognize the significant roles that sleep plays in the mental prosperity of India.

The author is the Ex Professor & Head of Dept of Radiology, Advisor at Evolv28