Long working hours and digital devices blamed as more than 2 million Hongkongers suffer from insomnia
Sleep expert says people in Asia suffer from insomnia more “because of hard-working” culture, while all-night restaurants and overnight sports events in other parts of the world also a factor
From restaurants operating round the clock to nighttime sports events, Hong Kong is proud to be a city that provides a vibrant life all day long. But experts have warned that the nighttime economy could be one of the main reasons why more than 2 million Hongkongers are suffering from insomnia, which can trigger a number of mental health problems such as depression.
Experts have also said the number of insomniacs is expected to grow at an “alarming rate” due to long working hours and the increasing use of digital devices that affect sleeping patterns.
A 2012 study led by Dr Wong Wing-sze, associate professor in the Education University’s department of psychological studies, showed that four out of 10 adults in Hong Kong, or 2.2 million people, suffered from insomnia.
The poll of 5,001 adults also found Hongkongers on average slept 6.46 hours per day, slightly lower than the Japanese average of 6.88 hours per day. People on the mainland, however, slept 8.07 hours per day.
“I don’t think the situation has improved since the 2012 study,” said sleep expert Dr Esther Lau Yuet-ying, assistant professor in the same Education University department.
“Generally speaking, the lifestyle of Hongkongers doesn’t seem to have changed much over the years. Our leisure time on weekdays tends to start pretty late at night, which means our normal sleep time is often delayed,” she said.