We all have nights where sleep just doesn’t happen, but what if it’s more than just the odd bad night? Across Aotearoa, more and more Kiwis are discovering that sleep is not just a passive part of our day. It’s a powerful tool for health, brain function, and emotional balance.
When we’re not sleeping well, we feel it everywhere: in our focus, our mood, our immune system, and even our skin. And unfortunately, sleep deprivation is becoming increasingly common in New Zealand.
Sleep Deprivation in New Zealand: What’s Really Going On?
40% of New Zealanders aren’t getting enough sleep.
The Ministry of Health reports that two out of every five Kiwis aged 15 and over don’t get the recommended amount of sleep. That’s a huge portion of the population going through life exhausted. (NZ Health Survey, 2020)
According to Massey University’s Sleep/Wake Research Centre, one of the most common factors affecting sleep in NZ households is light exposure, from early sunrises to streetlights through thin curtains, along with bedrooms that are too cold or too warm. (Massey University)
Sleep sharpens the brain.
Your brain uses sleep to sort, store, and protect memories. Getting enough deep sleep helps you learn faster, remember more, and problem-solve more effectively. With that in mind, sleep is also key to focus, reaction time, and emotional regulation.
Poor sleep and mental health are tightly linked.
Those who don’t sleep well are more than twice as likely to experience psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. Quality sleep is one of the most powerful (and natural) ways we can support our mental wellbeing.
Sleep powers learning and memory.
During sleep, your brain sorts and stores the information you’ve taken in during the day. A good night’s sleep has been shown to improve memory consolidation, focus, creativity, and even decision-making. Without it, your brain is slower to process, and quicker to forget. (Harvard, 2021)
Quality sleep helps slow the effects of aging.
Sleep is when the body repairs itself, including the brain. Chronic poor sleep is linked to accelerated cognitive decline and may increase the risk of developing dementia. Even your skin shows it. Deep sleep helps maintain collagen production, cellular repair, and hormone balance. (National Institute of Aging, US)
Why Aren’t We Sleeping Well?
There’s no one answer. For some, it’s the mental load. For others, it’s shift work, kids, or doom-scrolling past midnight. But research shows that our environment plays a huge role, and that’s something we can actually control.
Exposure to light at night (even streetlights sneaking through curtains) disrupts melatonin production. Noise, fluctuating temperatures, and even the wrong bedding can keep us tossing and turning.
The good news? With a few small tweaks to your sleep space, you can create a sanctuary designed for rest.
Because We Genuinely Care About Your Sleep
We believe that everyone deserves to feel good, every day, and that starts with sleep. That’s why we’ve curated a special Sleep Better collection, designed to help you create a calming, sleep-friendly bedroom.
Whether it’s:
- Total Blockout blinds to keep all light gaps out
- Thermal curtains or roman blinds to maintain a comfortable temperature through the night
- Or simply creating a darker, more peaceful space to unwind after a long day
…our goal is simple: to help you sleep better and live better.
Explore our Sleep Better collection and find the tools to wake up refreshed, clear-headed, and ready to take on the day.
Because better days start with better nights.
See our Total Blockout Honeycombs in action!