UAE Faces Sleep Crisis: Break the Cycle

Always Feel Tired? Nearly 30% of UAE Adults Lack Sleep

In recent years, the rhythm of daily life in major UAE cities, especially in the vicinity of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has significantly transformed. Late-night work, constant online presence, continuous screen use, and 24-hour accessibility have quietly but fundamentally reshaped sleep habits. What once seemed like an individual lifestyle choice is increasingly appearing as a public health issue.

According to a 2024 survey, nearly 30% of the UAE adult population is sleep deprived. This doesn't just mean many wake up more tired than necessary. Among those affected, headaches, chronic fatigue, irritability, and symptoms related to depression are more common. Among the younger age groups, particularly university students, research regularly shows poor sleep quality, irregular bedtimes, and daytime exhaustion, which are often linked to late-night screen use and disrupted daily routines.

Sleep Deprivation Goes Beyond Fatigue

In public consciousness, sleep deprivation often falls under the category of “I didn’t get enough sleep.” However, experts warn that the consequences go far beyond morning coffee cravings. Chronic sleep disruption is associated with anxiety, obesity, weakened immune system, and decreased work and study performance.

The modern urban lifestyle is conducive to sleep deterioration at multiple points. Long working hours, shift work, blue light from digital devices, nighttime social media use, and constant information flow all disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm. The body's biological clock is sensitive to light and irregularity, so evening screen time has specific physiological effects: it delays the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for falling asleep.

Transformation of Thinking, Eating, and Stress Management

From a public health perspective, one of the greatest concerns is that sleep deprivation does not just pose a problem by itself but triggers a chain reaction. Sleep affects how we think, decide, what we eat, how much we move, and how we manage stress. These all play a key role in shaping long-term health status.

Chronic fatigue reduces self-control and increases cravings for quick, energy-dense foods. A tired body is more prone to reach for sugary, high-calorie meals, while motivation for regular physical exercise diminishes. Additionally, lack of sleep increases stress reactions, further deteriorating sleep quality, creating a difficult-to-break cycle.

International long-term studies have shown that those who regularly sleep less than five hours a night have a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and depression. Global public health organizations associate insufficient sleep with the rising rates of obesity and mental disorders.

Prevention Takes Center Stage Over Treatment

Traditionally, sleep problems were addressed when they severely interfered with daily functioning. Today, UAE's health strategy is increasingly shifting towards prevention. The goal is not just to treat insomnia but to help the population establish healthier routines at an early stage.

This approach is based on the premise that sleep quality is not determined solely by biological factors. Digital habits, nutrition, hydration, physical activity, and stress management patterns all shape the sleep experience. Therefore, health programs are increasingly using a complex approach that examines the overall lifestyle.

The focus is on practical, easily implementable changes: regular bedtime, screen-free hours in the evening, adequate daytime exercise, balanced diet, and conscious stress management. These steps may seem small individually but can have a significant impact on sleep quality over the long term.

Shared Responsibility and Social Dimension

Improving sleep health increasingly appears as a shared responsibility. It’s not just about individual decisions, but also about what kind of environment society creates. Healthcare providers, food industry participants, sports facility operators, and even urban planners can contribute to an environment that supports a healthier daily rhythm.

Abu Dhabi emphasizes the role of sleep in prevention through various initiatives. Expanding community sports infrastructure, nutritional education programs, and integrating sleep assessments into health screenings all aim to ensure sleep is not sidelined.

It is an important realization that sleep does not exist in isolation. It is closely connected to every aspect of daily life. If someone works irregular hours, stays online late, spends little time moving, and lives with high stress, sleep quality will inevitably deteriorate.

Bringing Sleep Back into Daily Life

Health messages are increasingly reaching communities directly. Public events, workshops, and professional lectures help the population better understand their own habits. The emphasis is on treating sleep not as a luxury or secondary factor, but as one of the pillars of health.

In the UAE, sleep deprivation is now more than just an individual problem. Its impact on productivity, mental well-being, and long-term health prospects requires attention at the societal level. The fact that nearly a third of adults do not get enough sleep is a clear signal: sleep cannot be postponed to the end of the day, nor can it be replaced with coffee or weekend catch-ups.

In future health policies, sleep will play an increasingly prominent role. If the natural rhythm of rest can be restored, it will be felt not only in individuals' energy levels but in the overall well-being of the community. The real question is no longer who is tired, but when will sleep become a conscious part of everyday health defense.