Sleep has quietly become one of the most neglected pillars of health in modern India. In a country where productivity, long working hours and digital connectivity are often worn as badges of honour, sleep
is frequently sacrificed without much thought. Yet doctors across specialities are increasingly warning that poor sleep is no longer just a personal lifestyle issue, it is fast turning into a public health concern.
The problem begins early in life. Children, who require significantly more sleep for growth and development, are increasingly missing out on restorative rest.
Dr Jayant Khandare, Consultant – Paediatrics and Neonatology, Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital, feels sleep plays a critical role in childhood development. “Sleep is like the ultimate superpower for kids. It boosts brain power, strengthens immunity and helps them stay happy and focused,” he explains.
Yet globally, between 20–60 per cent of children are sleep deprived, a trend that experts say is becoming increasingly visible in urban India as well. Excessive screen exposure, late bedtimes and chaotic routines are disrupting children’s sleep patterns.
Dr Khandare notes that modern habits are largely to blame. Screens before bedtime, irregular sleep schedules and stimulating environments often make it difficult for children to fall asleep. To improve sleep hygiene in children, he advises simple but effective habits establishing a predictable bedtime routine, ensuring bedrooms are dark and quiet, keeping them free of screens and avoiding digital devices at least an hour before sleep.
Parents should also watch for warning signs such as snoring, frequent restlessness or disturbed sleep, which may indicate an underlying medical issue that requires attention.
However, sleep deprivation is not limited to children. Across the adult population, lifestyle pressures and changing work patterns are eroding sleep quality.
Dr Arun Chowdary Kotaru, Unit Head and Senior Consultant – Respiratory Disease & Sleep Medicine, Artemis Hospital, says that sleep is increasingly becoming the most ignored health habit in modern life.
“Sleep is very important for good health, but it is one of the habits people pay the least attention to today,” he says. “Stress, long working hours and excessive screen exposure are causing widespread sleep problems in India.”
Urban lifestyles have dramatically altered natural sleep cycles. Many people work late into the night, spend hours on phones and laptops before bedtime, and maintain irregular schedules due to professional and social commitments. One major factor behind disrupted sleep is blue light exposure from digital screens, which suppresses melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating the body’s sleep cycle.
Stress and anxiety further compound the problem. When combined with late meals and irregular routines, these factors make it harder for the body to relax and transition into sleep.
The consequences go far beyond feeling tired the next day. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and weakened immunity. Mental health is also affected, with insufficient sleep increasing the risk of anxiety, depression and emotional burnout. In addition, sleep deprivation can impair attention and decision-making, raising the likelihood of accidents and errors in everyday life.
This growing health burden is prompting medical professionals to call for a broader recognition of sleep as a fundamental component of public health.
Dr Vikas Mittal, Director, Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, says sleep is now being recognised as a crucial pillar of overall wellbeing, alongside diet and exercise.
“Long working hours, excessive screen exposure, irregular routines, stress and urban living conditions have significantly disrupted natural sleep cycles,” he explains. “As a result, sleep deprivation is gradually emerging as an important public health concern in India.”
Poor sleep is not merely about fatigue. Over time, insufficient or low-quality sleep can increase the risk of lifestyle disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, while also weakening the immune system. Cognitive performance, mood regulation and emotional stability are also affected.
Another worrying trend, Dr Mittal points out, is that many people dismiss sleep problems as minor inconveniences rather than medical issues. Disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea and circadian rhythm disturbances often go undiagnosed for years, silently worsening long-term health outcomes.
Doctors are therefore urging people to treat sleep with the same seriousness as nutrition or physical activity. Even small lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve sleep quality.
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, reducing screen exposure before bedtime, managing stress levels and creating a calm, comfortable sleep environment can help restore natural sleep rhythms. In cases where symptoms persist such as chronic insomnia, loud snoring or excessive daytime fatigue, medical consultation is essential.
Ultimately, the sleep crisis reflects a broader cultural shift. In an always-on world that celebrates busyness, sleep has been wrongly framed as expendable. But biology tells a different story.
Sleep is not a luxury, it is a biological necessity. And unless individuals, families and workplaces begin to prioritise it, India’s silent sleep crisis may soon become one of the country’s most overlooked public health challenges.
