08/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 8, 2026 theSunday Special VIII

Beneath the sleepless nights lies a quieter story about the UVTWIING VQ ƓPF RTQRGT TGUV Insomnia: Between myth and reality

“H OW to deal with insomnia” has become one of the most searched questions on Google today. In 2025 alone, the query has surged by more than 5,000% every month. It shows how people have grown in creasingly desperate for rest compared with a decade ago. And it is crucial to rec ognise that the problem will not improve unless we learn to understand and treat it. It is easy to say we have insomnia or to complain about how hard it is to fall asleep at night. But in truth, living with insomnia goes far beyond the simple struggle of GULIWLQJ R̆ S WXGLHV KDYH VKRZQ WKDW VOHHS GL̇ FXO WLHV FDQ D̆ HFW ERWK PHQWDO DQG SK\VLFDO health, sometimes even causing a sense of disconnection from reality. There are countless myths surrounding insomnia that continue to blur what we know about it. Understanding these mis conceptions could help you make sense of your own sleep cycle and recognise when it might be time to seek help. Here are the myths and facts you should know. Myth: Insomnia is just your body telling you it is tired Fact: Insomnia is more than a physical response. It often stems from emotional strain One of the biggest misconceptions about insomnia is the belief that the body is simply not “resting enough”. In reality, fatigue can be deeply tied to emotional strain or mental exhaustion. BY AQILAH NAJWA JAMALUDDIN

“Insomnia often involves hyperarousal, which means the body’s stress system re mains activated even at rest. Studies show that individuals with chronic insomnia experience higher physiological arousal, such as elevated heart rate and cortisol levels. That is why ‘trying harder’ to sleep rarely works,” said Renée Ang, registered and licensed counsellor, founder and director of Soul Space. Myth: Napping at the weekend can restore lost sleep Fact: Naps are not a substitute for quality sleep at night Many believe that catching up on sleep during the weekend or squeezing in naps

throughout the day can make up for nights of poor rest. Experts say it does not quite work that way. “While sleeping in can temporarily reduce sleep pressure, it does not fully UHVWRUH WKH FRJQLWLYH DQG HPRWLRQDO GH¿ - cits caused by chronic deprivation. The body thrives on regularity, as consistent sleep and wake times anchor the circadian UK\WKP PRUH H̆ HFWLYHO\ WKDQ FRPSHQVD tory ‘catch-up’ sleep,” said Ang. Research from the University of Colo rado, led by Kenneth P Wright Jr, also found that inconsistent sleep schedules disrupt circadian alignment, leading to ongoing fatigue and poorer metabolic health.

Screens emit blue light, which suppresses melatonin, the hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm.”

Experts say a pre-sleep routine plays a key role in improving sleep.