PEOPLE in Wiltshire are some of the most worn out in the country, according to research.
A renowned sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley has reviewed 30 years of academic sleep research and found that 75 per cent of people in the west suffer from low-grade exhaustion because they cannot wind down properly.
Dr Stanley has coined a new phrase, semisomnia, to describe the condition.
He concludes that the inability to relax in today's 24-hour society is to blame for the epidemic, which in turn costs the NHS approximately £290m in treatments.
The south west region, including Wiltshire, has the highest number of semisomniacs.
Commissioned by Horlicks, the research shows only a third of people in Wiltshire make time to wind down before bedtime.
Dr Stanley said: "The key to getting a good night's sleep is in winding down effectively before bedtime, but too many people are failing to do this and are suffering as a result. People need to prepare for sleep in the same way they warm up before exercise."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article