In the bustling, fast-paced city of Singapore, long hours, tight deadlines, and rising living costs have become part of daily life. But behind the outward image of success, many are silently struggling and questioning about why can’t I sleep soundly at night?
What we think is “just a bad night’s sleep” might actually be a sign of something deeper. Chronic stress, especially from overwork and financial pressure, has been shown to disrupt sleep. Over time, this lack of rest can lead to serious health problems—including cancer and delayed recovery from illness.
Stress and Overwork are Stealing Our Sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, “Stress and anxiety often lead to insomnia and sleep problems.” Persistent stress from the workplace, such as unreasonable expectations, lack of control, or job dissatisfaction can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
A separate study on long working hours concludes that working extended hours is a risk factor for reduced sleep and difficulty falling asleep. The reason? A lack of time to recover. When your body and mind don’t get the downtime they need, sleep becomes shallow, fragmented, or elusive altogether.
The Cost of Sleep Loss are More Than Just Fatigue
Sleep loss doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. It comes with deeper, long-term consequences that can silently impact your health and well-being.
Sleep Deprivation and Cancer are A Troubling Connection
The American Cancer Society and Johns Hopkins Medicine both suggest a concerning link to chronic sleep problems may increase the risk of developing cancer. Poor sleep weakens the immune system, making it less able to catch and destroy abnormal cells—cells that can eventually grow into cancer.
Johns Hopkins even notes that long-term sleep disruption, especially from shift work or late nights, may reduce melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body’s internal clock and may play a role in cancer suppression.
Sleep Loss Delays Recovery (Physically and Mentally)
While we often focus on how sleep helps us feel rested, its deeper role is in healing. The body performs essential repair work during rest (rebuilding cells, processing emotions, and restoring brain function). Without enough quality sleep, recovery from stress, sickness, or injury is significantly delayed.
One researcher from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center says, “Lack of sleep has a huge impact on anyone’s ability to function in school or on the job.” This applies just as much to recovery after illness as it does to daily productivity.
Why This Conversation Matters Right Now
This isn’t just theory—it’s the lived reality for many people in Singapore today. Overloaded work schedules, constant financial pressure, and sleepless nights are becoming the norm rather than the exception.
These stressors don’t just weigh on the mind, they show up in the body, manifesting as fatigue, mood swings, weakened immunity, and even long-term health risks. Sleep is not a luxury, and stress is not something we can afford to ignore. Left unchecked, they create a cycle that’s hard to break.
The good news? We can start interrupting this cycle with simple, body-based solutions. Gentle movement, targeted stretches, and mindful breathing—like those taught through yoga—can begin to shift the stress held in the body and bring us back toward balance. Let’s find out how—together in our Upcoming Workshop Asana to Ananda – The joy of practicing Yoga!
