wellness
Why people are sleeping worse and what to do about it
Perth adults face shorter nights from urban pressures and evening habits, yet simple local routines can restore rest.
How we reported this
More than 35 per cent of Western Australian adults now average under six hours of sleep on weeknights, according to the 2025 WA Health Survey released in March.
The trend has sharpened this year as longer commutes along the Mitchell Freeway and extended screen time after dark cut into bedtime for residents in inner suburbs. Poor sleep raises risks for heart disease and mood disorders, which already strain local clinics, and it hits workers who start shifts before dawn hardest.
Local pressures on rest
People living near the Swan River in South Perth report more noise from late ferries and traffic on Canning Highway, while those in Subiaco cite bright streetlights and café deliveries that stretch past midnight. Kings Park parkrun on Saturday mornings draws hundreds for 5 km trails, yet many participants say the same exercise helps them fall asleep faster by 11 pm instead of scrolling until 1 am. Western Australia Country Health Service clinics in the metro area have added sleep education sessions this winter, noting a 22 per cent rise in appointments for insomnia since 2023.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the share of adults meeting the seven-hour minimum dropped from 62 per cent in 2018 to 48 per cent in 2024, with Perth recording the steepest capital-city decline. Evening swims at Cottesloe Beach cost nothing and cool core temperature, a step that clinical trials link to 30 minutes more deep sleep.
Practical fixes that fit Perth days
Start with a 20-minute cycle along the Swan River path from East Perth to Matilda Bay after work instead of another hour online. Replace bedroom screens with a Kings Park trail walk at dusk three times a week; the 5 km loop ends near the War Memorial and leaves most people ready for bed by 10 pm. Book a free WACHS webinar on light exposure before 9 pm and track results for two weeks. Residents who added one beach swim and one park run last month reported falling asleep 18 minutes earlier on average. Consult a local GP at a Subiaco practice for personalised checks before changing routines.