Constantly Tired More and more people are suffering from chronic sleep deprivation

Yawning people are normal in everyday life today
On average, people sleep more than seven hours a night here in Germany. This is not enough and is actually enough to be fit and rested the next day. However, a large part of the population still seems to be tired all the time and in the morning we encounter yawning and un-sleepy people everywhere. How can that be? Do we sleep differently today than we used to? Experts believe that the pressure of constant availability plays a central role. In conversation with the news agency "dpa" they explain the phenomenon of "yawning society".
Sleep should be a high priority
"Our average daily sleep duration is 7 hours and 15 minutes," explains Alfred Wiater, chairman of the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine. How much sleep a person needs is quite different and, according to the sleep specialist Peter Young of the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, depends on the individual social circumstances as well as the genetic disposition. Regardless of whether someone needs six or nine hours of rest to feel rested, sleep must be a high priority in life, Young continued.

A yawning society: More and more people suffer from chronic sleep deprivation. Image: Jeanette Dietl - fotolia

Six percent of the population is undergoing treatment
But those who are under tension and stress often have trouble sleeping. Either affected people do not even come to rest and wallow constantly back and forth. Or they wake up at night constantly and feel accordingly the next morning like broken. According to a representative survey of the Max Grundig Clinic in Bühl, 41 percent of Germans are afraid of insomnia and around six percent of the population are already so severely affected that they need treatment.
The sleep disorders lead to a reduced performance in them and often burden the personal well-being strongly. A development that many experts consider very risky. From 3 to 5 December, they will be discussing the causes of poor sleep at the annual conference of the Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine in Mainz, as well as their impact on private and professional life.

Increased stroke risk due to lack of sleep
The reasons for the sleep problems can be organic illnesses, mental disorders, shift work and also the side effect of certain medications. The mobile phone could also play a role, because "we know from adolescents, if they daddling before falling asleep and later in bed much with the phone, that they sleep worse," said the psychologist and head of a Palatine sleep center, Hans-Günter Weeß , Besides that, there is another aspect, but so far too little attention, so Weeß. "This is the patient's attitude toward night and sleep." In this case, those affected would often not succeed in "completing" the day and coming to rest.

"We live in a 24-hour society, are constantly available, constantly connected to the workplace and other people. Switching off is just getting harder for us, "explains Weeß in an interview with the news agency. Instead, even in bed would be pondering and thinking about problems. With fatal consequences, because this increases the tension, "and the tension is the biggest enemy of sleep," adds the expert. As a result, it can lead to significant health problems. Because in addition to typical symptoms of sleep deprivation such as increased irritability, decreasing concentration and performance also increases the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases such. Hypertension or arteriosclerosis, obesity and some cancers.

Women sleep objectively worse than men
According to Weeß, if one follows objective measurements, women would sleep worse in the common bedroom, while in men it would be exactly the opposite. From a subjective point of view, however, both sexes would prefer to sleep as a couple. "Sleeping together provides a sense of security and security for both sexes," the psychologist continues. The fact that the woman still slept objectively worse, could be explained evolutionary biology, because it is genetically programmed so that they theoretically around the clock for the family is responsible. "They sleep at their workplace, so to speak."

Insufficient sleep can lead to unrealistic optimism
Many people wonder how busy politicians or top executives last for long periods of time, sleeping only a few hours a night, and still do their jobs. "Perhaps one or the other politician or one or the other politician is one of the short-sleepers and is therefore fully capable despite little sleep," said Alfred Wiater. It should be noted, however, that too little sleep could promote "unrealistic optimism and increased risk-taking". Therefore, politicians should be "aware of the importance of restful sleep for responsible behavior", emphasizes the chairman of the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine.

Natural home remedies for sleep disorders
Anyone who hopes for help with sleep disorders through health apps and so-called "sleep tracker bracelets", the experts should make sure that these offers have been scientifically reviewed. Otherwise, the information gained could quickly lead to misinterpretations and thus even more uncertainty. Anyone who sleeps poorly for longer than three to four weeks and thereby is suffering from increased irritability or difficulty concentrating, should therefore better consult the family doctor, recommends the German Society of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology (DGPPN). Because, for example, thyroid hyperfunction as a cause, it can be quickly detected by special tests.

The cause research is very important, because also mental illnesses like depression or anxiety illnesses can cause sleep problems - just as a bad sleep in other way can contribute also to the emergence and strengthening of mental illnesses. In addition, effective home remedies for sleep disorders can provide good support during treatment. For example, relaxation techniques such as autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation are often helpful. Likewise, a passionflower or chamomile tea can act as a natural "sedative" and promote a relaxed, healthy sleep. (No)