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71 per cent of Indian workers say lack of sleep hurts productivity: Resmed survey
Global study finds rising sleep awareness in India, but many still fail to act
MUMBAI: Lack of sleep is quietly draining productivity across Indian workplaces, even as people increasingly recognise its importance. A new global survey by health technology company Resmed shows that while most employees understand the value of good sleep, many still struggle to prioritise it.
According to the company’s sixth annual Global Sleep Survey, 71 per cent of working respondents in India say insufficient sleep affects their ability to focus and perform at work. Yet more than half feel workplace culture does little to support healthier sleep habits.
The study, which gathered responses from 30,000 people across 13 countries, highlights a growing awareness of sleep as a pillar of health. However, it also reveals a stubborn gap between knowing sleep matters and actually getting enough of it.
In India, 57 per cent say sleep health is not prioritised at work, while 58 per cent report heavy workloads interfering with their sleep. The consequences often spill into the workday. About 77 per cent admit to taking a “snooze day”, calling in sick after a particularly poor night’s sleep.
Flexible work arrangements appear to offer some relief. Nearly 72 per cent of respondents say flexible schedules help them manage their sleep better, suggesting that work culture could play a bigger role in improving sleep health.
Daily pressures remain the biggest sleep disruptors. Stress or anxiety affects 39 per cent of respondents, followed by work responsibilities at 37 per cent and household duties at 31 per cent.
Despite these challenges, many Indians acknowledge the role sleep plays in long term health. Forty four per cent rank adequate sleep among the most important contributors to overall wellbeing, alongside diet and exercise.
Still, awareness does not always translate into results. Nearly half of respondents in India report getting a good night’s sleep only four nights a week or fewer, highlighting the persistent gap between intent and action.
Technology, however, is nudging people towards greater awareness. Three in four Indians say they track their sleep using wearable devices at least occasionally, with smartwatches and fitness bands leading the trend. Among those who use such devices, 66 per cent say they would seek medical advice if the data indicated a potential health risk.
Yet conversations about sleep are not always happening in clinics. While 78 per cent say they would consult a healthcare professional about persistent sleep problems, only 69 per cent recall being asked about sleep during routine medical visits.
Resmed chief medical officer Carlos Nunez, said the shift in public awareness is encouraging but incomplete.
“People increasingly recognise sleep as central to long term health,” he said. “But awareness alone is not enough. The real challenge is helping people move from recognising the problem to taking action, whether through better habits, screening or treatment.”
The survey suggests that closing the gap between awareness, diagnosis and treatment could help millions address sleep disorders earlier, including conditions such as sleep apnoea.
The research was conducted between 11 December 2025 and 14 January 2026 across 13 markets including the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Australia. Samples in each country reflected national age and gender distributions.
For many workers, the message is simple. Sleep may be the most overlooked productivity tool in the modern workplace. And judging by the number of snooze days, it might also be the one most urgently needed.
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ITC Sunfeast Farmlite launches Sugar Free Cookies range
New variants offer guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious snackers.
MUMBAI: ITC Sunfeast Farmlite is sweetening the deal for biscuit lovers who want to have their cookie and eat it too without the sugar. The better-for-you biscuits range from ITC Foods has expanded its portfolio with the launch of an all-new Sugar Free Cookies line, aligning with the company’s vision of ‘Help India Eat Better’. The range is designed for consumers who are rethinking sugar in their daily snacking but refuse to compromise on taste and indulgence.
The collection debuts with two tempting variants: Choco Nut Cookies and Hazelnut & Oats Cookies. Both are a source of protein and contain no trans-fat, while the Hazelnut & Oats variant is also lactose-free.
ITC Ltd. vice president (marketing), biscuits, foods division, Suraj Kathuria said, “At Sunfeast Farmlite, we believe mindful snacking should never come at the cost of indulgence. With this launch, we are catering to the growing need for guilt-free snacking while delivering a rich, satisfying cookie experience.”
ITC Ltd. vice president & head of food sciences for foods division Dr Shantanu Das added, “We have applied robust food science to develop cookies that are sugar-free while preserving the taste and texture consumers love.”
Each cookie comes in convenient single-serve packs to maintain texture and freshness. Both variants are available in 100g packs priced at ₹100 and can be found on quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
In a market increasingly leaning towards healthier choices, ITC Sunfeast Farmlite’s new Sugar Free Cookies prove that cutting sugar doesn’t mean cutting joy. For the health-conscious yet indulgent snacker, this could be the perfect bite-sized solution.
