Health Ministry warns of global sleep crisis on World Sleep Day
“Quality sleep is not simply about clocking hours in bed. It is defined by the ability to sleep in a way that meets physiological needs,” the ministry’s director for vulnerable group health services, Imran Pambudi, said here on Saturday.
According to him, this year’s theme, “Sleep Well, Live Better,” carries an important message for people, particularly those living in cities, whose circadian rhythms are often disrupted by work patterns and light pollution.
He stressed that sleep allows body to restore function, by consolidating memory memory, removing toxin, and maintaining mood. Acute sleep deprivation reduces cognitive capability, reaction time, and short-term memory, while chronic lack of sleep increase risk of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
A global survey by ResMed 2025, involving 30.026 respondents, shows that the world is facing a sleep crisis, with many people reporting poor sleep quality and issues that hinder productivity.
“Many adults do not meet the recommended sleep duration of seven to nine hours per night. A cross-timezone study shows that many people above 50 experience poor sleep trajectories, both in duration and quality,” he pointed out.
This leads to increased risks of mild cognitive impairment, frailty, and mortality, Pambudi noted. Therefore, good sleep is crucial for recovery so that people do not feel excessively sleepy during the day, maintain good cognitive ability, and avoid irritability.
Researchers have identified several indicators of good sleep, including total time of sleep, time needed to fall asleep, frequency of waking during night, the proportion of time in bed actually spent sleeping, and subjective sleep satisfaction.
Pambudi also suggested several measures to improve sleep quality, including aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep per night for adults, limiting screen time to one hour before bedtime, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and adjusting lighting to support circadian rhythms.
“Reduce nighttime disruptions by keeping the bedroom dark, maintaining a cool room temperature, and minimizing noise. Moreover, avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, and consult a professional if you experience symptoms of sleep disorders,” he said.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie