wellness
Why People Are Sleeping Worse and What To Do About It
From late-night screens to chilly winter stress, Geelong locals are reporting restless nights. Here’s what’s behind our sleep struggles and where you can get help.
How we reported this
An increasing number of Geelong residents are having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, according to local GPs and sleep health programs. From the bustling evenings along the Waterfront to the quiet backstreets of Newtown, insomnia and restless nights are emerging as common complaints this winter.
What’s keeping Geelong awake?
The spike in poor sleep isn’t unique to our city, but several key factors hit home for locals. Central Geelong’s rising cost of living-recorded by the City of Greater Geelong’s 2025 community report as among residents’ top worries-means more people are juggling multiple jobs or finding it tough to wind down. Add to that the heavy use of screens well into the night: Barwon Health’s Sleep Disorders Clinic reports that device use after 9pm is a primary issue discussed by first-time patients. Geelong sleep psychologist Dr. Erin Harvey noted at last month’s wellness expo at GMHBA Stadium that watching Netflix in bed or scrolling social media can delay the release of melatonin, making it harder to drift off.
Over at Barwon Health’s Belmont sleep group, facilitators recently flagged concerns that winter’s long, cold nights can also disrupt sleep rhythms. For shift workers at the Geelong Hospital on Ryrie Street or those finishing late at the city’s cafes, irregular schedules are another known culprit. Even weekend exercise-like the Saturday morning Geelong Waterfront parkrun-can help, but only if done earlier in the day, experts advise.
What the numbers (and locals) say
While sleep struggles often go unreported, national data confirms the trend. Australasian Sleep Association figures released in March 2026 show that 42% of Australians now rate their sleep as poor or only fair, a rise of nearly 10% compared to five years ago. Locally, Barwon Health’s 2025 patient survey recorded a 15% uptick in reported sleep complaints compared to pre-pandemic levels.
For those seeking practical help, options in Geelong include the Sleep Health Program at Barwon Health and workshops at The Wellness Clinic on Bellerine Street. A single sleep consultation at The Wellness Clinic starts at around $105, while Barwon Health’s sleep groups and assessments-sometimes eligible for Medicare rebates-serve dozens of locals every month. Even Geelong Regional Library branches, including the Waurn Ponds library, have hosted free evening seminars on sleep hygiene and relaxation techniques.
What comes next? Local health professionals recommend creating a tech-free wind-down routine an hour before bed, aiming for consistent sleep and wake times (even on weekends), and maximising natural daylight-especially important on cold July days in Geelong. For those struggling with chronic sleep issues, both Barwon Health and The Wellness Clinic accept self-referrals for evaluation and support. And for a free, screen-free reset, try the Barwon River walking trail or a few mindful laps at the Eastern Beach rock pool before sundown. As the city braces for another cold snap, prioritising restful sleep could be one of the smartest wellness moves Geelong residents make this winter.