The science of SNOOZING

Everything you need to know about hitting the hay the smart way

- Elaine Obran

Few would argue that not being able to sleep ranks up there among life’s cruel punishments — a cycle of restless tossing, dramatic pillow flips and groggy, caffeine-fuelled days that can leave you teetering dangerously close to burnout.

The good news? There are many science-backed steps we can take to improve sleep – and, as a result, our health and wellbeing.

From building better habits to soaking up early-morning sunlight, sleep expert and University of Sydney senior lecturer Dr Yu Sun Bin shares evidence-based tips to help you reset your internal clock and return to the world feeling, well, human again.

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It will come as no surprise that stress is the most common cause of sleep problems, with Dr Bin noting that university students can be among the most vulnerable cohorts.

“I work with university students who are juggling things such as work, study and socialising – that stress that goes on when you’re 20 to 25 is a big one,” she says.

Dr Bin also points out that women going through menopause are another group prone to poor sleep, though the reason runs deeper than hormonal changes.