Media Release:

Nine out of ten Australian women wake up tired

Australia is a nation of sleep-deprived women according to new research. As many as nine out of ten women are regularly waking up tired and too exhausted to get out of bed, prompting calls by health experts to wake up and get help.

Such sleep deprivation, say experts, could be linked to the increasing levels of stress and depression experienced by a large number of Australian women.

Sleep expert Linda Schachter, Sleep Services Australia, says Australian women are putting their health at risk by not getting a good enough sleep each night.

"While most women understand that poor sleep leads to moodiness and affects decision-making, it also contributes to far more serious health issues such as obesity, depression and heart disease," said Dr Schachter.

The research, commissioned by Johnson and Johnson, ahead of Sleep Awareness Week 2008, suggests that the lack of shut-eye is largely due to stress brought on by a lack of free time, relationship or family problems, minor health issues and growing mortgage and financial worries.

"Women are twice as likely as men to have difficulty falling and staying asleep, with health changes such as pregnancy, hormonal changes, obesity and menopause making women more susceptible to sleep apnoea," said Dr Schachter.

Not surprisingly, the research shows that women with kids are almost twice as likely to always wake up tired than women without children. Working women are up to 70 percent more likely to lose sleep, with 30 percent stating their worst night's sleep is Sunday, followed by Monday nights.

The solution, says Dr Schachter, is a regular nightly routine.

"The most effective way to ensure you get a good night's sleep is to develop a regular nightly routine, and make sure you are in a healthy and comfortable sleeping environment. It is important to avoid night time stimulants like caffeine and use natural alternatives such as Moonflower, which is proven to calm and relax the senses and promote sleep."

Understanding the effectiveness of natural remedies like Moonflower, Johnson and Johnson have developed Dreamy Skin™, a unique adult skincare range that is clinically proven to help Australian women get a better night's sleep. Seven out of ten women found that Dreamy Skin™ helped them fall asleep better when used as part of a nightly routine.

The JOHNSON'S® Dreamy Skin™ range of products, when used in a nightly routine, is proven to help women get a better quality of sleep and wake up feeling more refreshed and reinvigorated.

Some interesting findings:

• Women from major capital cities such as Sydney and Melbourne are more likely to always wake up tired (23%) than those from regional Australia (18%).
• Stresses at work also impact on the sleep of 53% of women who work full-time.
• Women with a household income under $40,000 are more likely to lose sleep over money worries (17%) than those with a household income over $70,000 (12%).
• Younger women aged 16-24 are more likely to get their worst night's sleep on Friday and Saturday than older women.
• Women who worry about work sleep best on Saturday night, whereas those who worry about money and the mortgage sleep best on Tuesday to Thursday.

Mum Zone Release Date: 7th October 2008

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