Ever bragged about pulling an all-nighter or surviving on four hours’ sleep and a triple-shot latte? We’ve all been there.

But it turns out getting decent sleep isn’t just for babies and Boomers.

According to some of the world’s leading sleep experts from Adelaide’s Flinders University, skipping sleep isn’t something to flex about – it’s hurting your health.

“Sleep is one of the three pillars of good health, along with diet and exercise. But it still doesn’t get the respect it deserves,” Professor Danny Eckert, director of Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) Sleep Health, said.

Let’s face it, a lot of us have ditched sleep for a Netflix binge or night out.

But here’s the kicker: Getting a solid night’s sleep isn’t just “nice to have” – it’s essential.

Why sleep = real-life superpowers

Sleep is your body’s prime time for recovery. When we sleep, our brain processes information, consolidates memories, and flushes out waste products in the brain, said Professor Sutapa Mukherjee, a senior respiratory and sleep physician at FHMRI Sleep Health.

“Sleep is so important for the immune system, and healing the body,” she said.

Eckert added: “Every single organ – pretty much every single cell in the body – is adversely affected if you’re not getting enough, or you get disrupted sleep”.

Tiredness isn’t the only problem

About 40 per cent of Australians have inadequate sleep, causing more than just grumpy mornings. Poor sleep significantly increases the risk of serious issues such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and even depression.

Eckert also has a warning about the alarming impact on road safety.

“If you’re awake for 19 hours in a row, your performance and reaction time is the equivalent of a .05 blood alcohol level,” he said.

“If you’re awake for 24 hours, it’s about the equivalent of .1, so well and truly over the legal limit.”

Professors Danny Eckert and Sutapa Mukherjee lead Flinders University’s sleep program. Photo: The Post SA

Insomnia and sleep apnoea: Uninvited guests in your bed

Insomnia isn’t just lying awake because you scrolled TikTok until 2am. It’s a chronic condition marked by ongoing trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, significantly impacting daily functioning.

Then there’s obstructive sleep apnoea – a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, often accompanied by loud snoring. It’s caused by throat muscles relaxing too much, blocking the airway, and cutting off oxygen flow to the brain.

Left untreated, it increases risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and daytime fatigue. And no, it’s not just a condition affecting older people.

The good news? Flinders’ experts are leading a sleep tech revolution.

Researchers like Eckert are pioneering more user-friendly treatments beyond conventional CPAP machines, which not everyone can tolerate. They include custom-fitted mouthguards designed to adjust the jaw’s position to keep the airway open, and a game-changing nasal spray.

New parents, we see you

What do you do if it’s your baby keeping you awake? Eckert acknowledged that getting enough sleep with a newborn was especially tough.

His advice?

“Sleep when you can and try to instil healthy patterns of sleep into your kid,” he said.

“Sleep is a biological process, but it’s also behavioural – teach those babies quickly how to self-soothe and sleep through the night. It’s good for the parents and good for the baby.”

Getting enough sleep with a baby in the house can be challenging.

Sleeping pills aren’t the answer

If you thought popping a pill was the easy fix, think again. Pills mask symptoms only temporarily and often have side effects – plus the risk of addiction.

Instead, Flinders researchers advocate for cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), a structured approach aimed at insomnia’s root causes.

“Non-drug treatments don’t just work short-term – they provide lasting solutions for people,” Mukherjee said.

“CBT-I gives people tools to take control of their sleep for the long term, rather than relying on medication,” Eckert said.

CBT-I includes techniques like:

• Sleep restriction: Reducing awake time in bed
• Stimulus control: Making the bed a sleep-only zone
• Cognitive therapy: Changing negative sleep-related thoughts
• Relaxation techniques: Practicing mindfulness and breathing exercises

Australia’s sleep revolution

This innovative approach to sleep disorders is highlighted in the award-winning SBS documentary Australia’s Sleep Revolution with Dr Michael Mosley, which was supported by the South Australian Film Corporation.

The project earned the Flinders team an award at the 2024 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards, and international gongs for science and documentary storytelling.

Eckert said the documentary was an amazing opportunity to highlight FHMRI Sleep Health’s pioneering methods and research.

Behind the scenes: Flinders trial

The documentary captured a ground-breaking clinical trial led by Eckert and Sutapa, treating 30 people – including Mosley.

Eckert said it was challenging to treat some of the nation’s worst sleepers in just eight weeks.

“We had never put all this together before, so it was high risk,” he said.

Despite the pressure, more than 80 per cent of those involved had significant sleep improvements.

“It certainly put rocket fuel under our research program,” Eckert said.

Why Flinders is leading the sleep health revolution

Simply put, Flinders’ FHMRI Sleep Health is world-class. It’s not just a clinic that helps people sleep – it’s a dedicated 900-square-metre research facility complete with sleep labs, virtual reality spaces, and even a driver simulation room (remember, sleep and driving safety are connected).

“We use advanced technology to pinpoint exactly what’s disrupting someone’s sleep, so treatments can be individually tailored and highly effective,” Eckert said.

Mukherjee said sleep research was exciting to work in because it was relatively new, so “there’s still so much uncharted territory”.

OK, but how can I sleep better tonight?

The experts’ top tips for catching more zzz’s:

• Consistency: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time daily
• Screen-free hour: No screens for at least an hour before bed
• Sleep-friendly room: Keep it dark, quiet, and cool
• Watch your intake: Limit alcohol and caffeine, especially close to bedtime

Tried everything and still feel like a zombie? Eckert and Mukherjee stress there’s no magic one-size-fits-all sleep hack.

If you’re struggling or suspect you have a sleep disorder, chat with your GP. They can set you up with a mental health plan and connect you with a specialist sleep psychologist or physician.

This article first appeared in The Post SA. Read the original here