Global Sleep Crisis: Only 1 in 10 people sleeps well every night

A new global survey, the Global Sleep Survey 2025, reveals that only one out of 10 people sleeps well every night. The survey, conducted on over 30,000 individuals in 12 nations, highlighted how stress, anxiety, and economic issues are the main causes of this “sleep crisis”

ROME. The survey data, reported by the magazine GlobeNewsWire, are alarming: one in 3 people claims to regularly sleep less than four nights a week. The consequences of this sleep deprivation are immense, both physically and mentally.

51% of respondents reported excessive daytime sleepiness, 48% negative feelings in the morning, and 36% increased irritability. This is followed by morning headaches (32%) and difficulty concentrating (31%). Over 7 out of 10 workers have taken at least one sick day in their career due to insomnia.

“The fundamental problem can sometimes be related to difficulty falling asleep, other times to frequent awakenings with an overall unsatisfactory quality of sleep,” says Dr. Simonetta Marucci, Endocrinology Specialist. “The disruption of regular sleep cycles, which should repeat regularly every night, is responsible for discomfort, reduced brain and physical performance, a consequence of a real deprivation of neurons in brain areas mainly connected with memory and learning. The lack of satisfying sleep in school-age children is responsible for a good part of learning problems.”

Stress (57%), anxiety (46%), and financial and economic problems (31%) are the main causes of insomnia, according to the survey. In 2024, moreover, over half of the respondents reported using a digital device before going to bed, with the aim of “scrolling” social media, watching TV, or catching up on the news.

Sleep disorders, however, are not limited to the falling asleep phase. Over 3 in 10 respondents reported constantly waking up during the night. Another disturbing factor seems to be, for women, menopause or perimenopause: 44% of those in this condition suffer from sleep disturbances.

“The use of psychoactive drug therapies is not recommended, as they do not restore regular sleep physiology,” continues Dr. Marucci. “Various dietary supplements are available on the market, such as Exocomplex Riposo, and natural remedies that act on sleep in a physiological way. Among these are Bach flowers or, again, homeopathic Melatonin (to be preferred over pharmacological doses, as it respects physiological mechanisms) useful for restoring the sleep-wake rhythm.”

Despite the alarming data, the research also highlighted the positive aspects of quality rest. The three main benefits observed after a good night’s sleep were improved mood (42%), increased concentration (41%), and better mental and physical health (37%). Nearly 9 out of 10 respondents acknowledge that good sleep brings them various psycho-physical benefits, while almost 4 out of 10 agree that it allows them to be more productive at work.

While it is true that modern society imposes rhythms often far from an ideal balance, how can one manage to sleep better given the impossibility of acting on external factors? Here are the 10 tips identified by Guna experts, a pharmaceutical company specializing in low-dose drugs and dietary supplements:

1. Strive for regularity and balance: develop a regular routine, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
2. Expose yourself to sunlight as much as possible: it helps synchronize the circadian rhythm, promoting deeper and more restorative sleep.
3. Create an ideal environment: keep the room dark and quiet. The use of blackout curtains and earplugs can be useful in particularly bright or noisy settings.
4. Limit the use of digital devices: it is advisable to give up using tech devices at least an hour before bedtime.
5. Care for your diet: avoid overly heavy dinners and limit coffee consumption.
6. Engage in physical activity, but avoid intense workouts in the evening.
7. Daytime naps? In moderation: refrain from sleeping too much during the day, a short nap of about 20 minutes may suffice (for those who can afford it).
8. Manage stress: reducing anxiety and worries through meditation can improve sleep quality.
9. Supplements? Why not. There are specific ones for rest, also based on plant exosomes.
10. Develop a relaxing evening routine: adopt relaxation rituals before bed, such as reading a book, taking a hot bath, or practicing breathing techniques, which promote relaxation and prepare the body for sleep.

About Guna

For over 40 years, Guna has been the leading Italian pharmaceutical company in low-dose medicine. The company produces and distributes drugs,