Can you change your routine to get a better night's sleep?

Half of Irish people wake up every day feeling groggy, and while stress is a cause of sleeplessness, stress is exacerbated by tiredness. Before summer turns to autumn is the time to change your pattern, says Sharon Ní Chonchúir

'A bad night’s sleep impacts our enjoyment of the next day, but also far more than that. Sleep is a vital biological process that allows the brain and body to function properly and repair.'

Seven in 10 people say sleep is one of life’s greatest joys. Half claim they prefer to stay in bed doing it instead of socialising. That is the conclusion of a 2025 Ikea survey that asked 55,000 people in 57 countries about their sleep.

The survey’s findings in Ireland pose cause for concern. Almost half of us (49%) wake up feeling tired most days, and 43% worry we’re not getting enough sleep.