Health

The rise of the sleep data nerds: ‘The harder you try, the harder it is to sleep’

he first thing Annie and her partner do when they wake up in the morning is ask each other how well they slept. “And I literally say, ‘I’m not sure yet, let me check,’” – and Annie, a chief people and safety officer, reaches for her smartwatch.

Annie started monitoring because she worried she wasn’t getting enough good-quality sleep. Now she’s a self-confessed sleep data “nerd”, mining her sleep data for insights into her general health and wellbeing, using it to inform lifestyle decisions and even occasionally to guide how much she aims to accomplish in a day.

Sleep monitoring is a boom industry, mirroring what devices and apps such as Fitbits and Strava have done for physical activity. Market reports vary on the value of this industry, but it is clearly lucrative and growing rapidly. A quick search reveals a wide range of devices – rings, headbands, watches and other wrist-worn devices, under-mattress devices and bedside devices – all suggesting their use will unlock such quality sleep as to make Rip Van Winkle jealous.

An estimated 40% of Australians are not getting enough good quality sleep, and one in 10 experience chronic insomnia. “We do know there are a lot of people who do worry about their sleep and whether they’re getting enough sleep, particularly if they’re not meeting some of the recommended sleep duration guidelines,” says Dr Hannah Scott, a senior research fellow in sleep psychology at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide, and co-inventor of a wearable device that tracks and treats chronic insomnia

Scott sees the rise in the use of sleep trackers as generally good news. “They’ve certainly improved awareness around the importance of sleep and around healthy sleep patterns so overall, I’d say they’ve probably had a positive effect.” But there’s a downside. “If you try harder to exercise, you’ll become fitter, but we have the opposite problem with sleep actually; that the harder you try, the harder it is to actually obtain sleep,” Scott says. “We can be creating some problems over people becoming too obsessive about trying to optimise it.” There’s even a term for it: orthosomnia, which describes an unhealthy preoccupation with sleep-tracking data.

The most accurate picture of sleep health is derived from what’s called polysomnography, which requires a person to spend the night in a sleep laboratory with their head and body covered with electrodes that monitor and measure brain wave activity, eye movement, breathing, heart rate, muscle movement and blood oxygen levels. That provides a wealth of information such as time spent in different stages of sleep, how many times someone wakes up and how long it takes them to fall asleep, says Prof Christopher Gordon, professor of sleep health at Macquarie University in Sydney.

“Wearables – and that’s lumping a lot of different devices in one word – but generally they’re not that accurate at being able to tell how long you took to fall asleep and how long you’re awake and asleep overnight, and that’s because it’s not measuring brainwave activity,” he says. That brainwave activity is used to determine time spent in different stages of sleep: stage one, two and three of non-REM sleep and REM sleep

What wearables can detect and measure – in varying combinations and with varying degrees of accuracy – is heart rate, temperature, movement and blood oxygen levels, which are then fed into algorithms that determine whether the picture painted by that data is of someone sleeping soundly or restlessly awake. “It could be a device that’s specifically measuring movement only, and it’s looking at algorithms that say if your arms are moving a lot you’re awake, if it’s not moving a lot it’s sleep,” Gordon says. But “that has very little agreement with what happens in your brain in terms of the qualitative aspect of sleep”.

The other challenge is that there isn’t a clear understanding of exactly what good sleep looks like, says Associate Prof Jen Walsh, director of the Centre for Sleep Science at the University of Western Australia in Perth. “It’s an area that’s debated within our profession,” she says. There’s sleep quantity – simply the amount of time spent asleep – and sleep quality, which is more complex and takes into account time spent in different stages of sleep, whether sleep is broken, how often and for how long. “Sleep quantity is quite easy to define and calculate, whereas sleep quality is somewhat harder,” she says. Current guidelines suggest adults should aim for between seven and nine hours of sleep a night but there isn’t such clear advice on what type of sleep – how much of each stage – is optimum.

Sleep quality is also highly subjective and sometimes doesn’t match what even the most accurate lab-based monitoring says, according to Dr Maya Schenker, a postdoctoral researcher on trauma and sleep at the University of Melbourne. “If we feel like we slept very badly, it doesn’t matter what the watch is telling me,” she says. Even in people with chronic insomnia, sleep often looks a lot better on the polysomnography than what they subjectively report.

Rachel says her sleep-monitoring ring has helped her to understand some of the factors that help her get a better night’s sleep. “If I do pilates in the evening, I seem to mostly sleep better,” the Canberra-based public servant says. And Annie has noticed that if she has a glass of wine at any time in the evening, her heart rate during sleep is about 10% higher.

This is where most experts see the usefulness of sleep trackers in a consumer setting: helping people understand how their lifestyle habits and behaviour affect their sleep, and making changes to improve it.

“A lot of people are interested in changing their sleep habits, but it’s hard to find a place to start,” says Dr Vanessa Hill, a sleep scientist at the Appleton Institute at CQ University in Adelaide, who also consults for Samsung Health. Data alone isn’t generally enough to change behaviour, but “if your watch can send you a notification where it’s like, ‘hey, yesterday, you went on a walk at this time and it improved your sleep’, or ‘yesterday you stopped drinking caffeine around this time’ or whatever, and that helps you fall asleep faster”, that can motivate people to change, she says, “I think that’s the best potential that these kinds of trackers can have.”

Stop counting sheep – and 13 more no-nonsense tips for getting back to sleep

Hill uses a smartwatch and a ring to monitor her sleep, and says she does check her sleep scores – particularly her heart rate during sleep, which she says may predict oncoming illness – as soon as she wakes up. “I look at what they’ve been overnight, because if I am getting sick or getting a cold or something like that, my heart rate variability will actually tell me before I feel any symptoms myself,” she says. “If, for whatever reason, I have really bad heart rate variability one night, I’m just like, I need to take it easy today, something’s up with my body.”

Many experts stress that consumer sleep trackers are not diagnostic tools and have some important limits. “If you train an algorithm on a set population that is healthy, you’re not going to necessarily pick up the same signal out of a population with, say, peripheral vascular disease with reduced blood flow into the fingers,” says Dr Donald Lee, a respiratory at sleep physician at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney. Sleep habits also change over the lifespan, which may not be reflected by the algorithms used.

However sleep trackers do provide an opportunity to encourage healthier sleep habits, Lee says. “If we can engage people to … go to bed with a purpose, to turn out the light and go to sleep and improve their sleep habits by engaging in the conversation, it’s a good thing for the health trackers to be doing.”

Health

Before, with or after meals? Why medications timing matters

Many medications can be taken before, after or during a meal with little to no side effects—but for some, timing is everything.

This is because having a full stomach can interfere with how well medications are absorbed and processed by the body.

Some studies have even found that certain medications, like blood pressure drugs, are most effective earlier in the day if you are a morning person, and vice-versa for night owls.

More than 30 million of us take some form of medication every day and with instructions often as long as your arm, it can be confusing to know exactly what time each should be taken.

But, an intriguing area of scientific research alongside long-proven effects of food-drug interactions, may provide the answer.

Chronotherapy—the study of how the body clock impacts drug efficiency—is said to be the key to ensuring we get the best out of our pills, especially once we’ve worked out whether its best to take them before, with or after a meal.

One study found that patients who are ‘morning people’ could reduce their risk of heart attack by around 26 per cent by taking their blood pressure medication in the morning.

Significantly, they increased their risk of heart attack if they took the drug in the evening—the opposite end of the day to their chronotype.

So when is the best time to take your pills?

Always on empty

Food significantly alters the environment of the digestive tract, changing pH levels, delaying gastric emptying and ultimately reducing the bioavailability of certain medications.

For this reason, a lot of drugs should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes to an hour before a meal, or two to three hours after eating

As prescribing pharmacist Ayesha Bashir explains: ‘Some medications need an empty stomach so nothing gets in the way. Food can slow them down, bind to them, or stop them from being absorbed at all, which means they may not work properly.’

One example of this is bisphosphonates, a widely prescribed drug used to treat osteoporosis, which works by slowing the rate that bone is broken down in the body.

This helps to maintain bone density and reduce the risk of a broken bone—if taken on an empty stomach.

According to the NHS, bisphosphonates should always be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. GPs also recommend standing or sitting upright for at least half an hour after taking them to avoid indigestion.

The reason for this is because bisphosphonates, like alendronate or risedronate, have extremely low oral bioavailability meaning that even small amounts of calcium from food can almost completely block drug absorption.

But if indigestion does strike, the most commonly prescribed anti-indigestion drug, omeprazole should also be taken on an empty stomach ideally 30 mins before eating.

But, Dr Jarvis added: ‘If you’ve got heartburn rather than indigestion, that tends to be worse late at night when you lie down, you could take it half an hour before dinner or an empty stomach, so you have peak levels in your system when you go to bed and the acid will be most suppressed.’

Thyroid medications, like levothyroxine, should also always be taken on an empty stomach, around the same time each day if possible.

Studies show that the body can absorb the drug far more efficiently when taken before any food has entered the digestive tract, whereas taking the pill with food can reduce bioavailability by up to 60 per cent.

With a meal

Whilst some drugs are best taken on an empty stomach to help boost absorption, others can do serious harm to the stomach lining if taken on empty, increasing the risk of stomach ulcers, liver failure and kidney damage.

Ibuprofen—taken by millions daily to treat everything from headache to fevers—is safe when taken correctly.

But routinely taking the painkiller on an empty stomach can cause permanent liver and kidney damage.

The danger with the ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAIDs) comes from how they are processed by the body, irritating the stomach lining and increasing the risk of stomach ulcers.

‘In some cases, this can lead to peritonitis,’ warned Dr Dean Eggitt, GP and CEO at Doncaster Local Medical Committee.

Peritonitis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes infected, which can be caused by routinely taking painkillers on an empty stomach.

Left untreated, the condition can be life threatening.

Taking certain medications with food can also help reduce side effects like nausea, dizziness, stomach upset and ulcers.

This can also protect medications from being broken down in the stomach, before they reach the intestines where most absorption occurs.

After dinner or before bed

Some studies suggest that certain short-acting statins, like lovastatin, taken to combat high cholesterol, are best taken in the evening.

High cholesterol causes fat to build up in the arteries, restricting blood flow. left untreated, it can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even dementia.

But taking potentially life-saving medication at the wrong time can render the drug almost ineffective.

This is because statins tend to have a fairly short half-life.

Most cholesterol in the blood comes from dietary fats, which are then converted into cholesterol by the liver.

Therefore, taking statins at night can help supercharge the medication as this is when there is the most cholesterol in the bloodstream.

However longer acing statins, like atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor, can have a half-life of up to 19 hours, meaning that patients can choose which time of day suits them best.

Blood pressure drugs are the most commonly prescribed medication in the UK, with as many as non million people receiving prescriptions for drugs including beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors.

And recently, researchers from the University of Dundee found for the first time that a person’s chronotype—determined by the time they wake up and go to sleep—impacts the efficacy of their blood pressure medication.

However, some patients may experience dizziness after taking their first dose, as drugs like ACE inhibitors work by relaxing the blood vessels, so it’s usually recommended take the first dose at bedtime.

Betablockers similarly can make users feel dizzy, as they work by slowing down the heart, so again GPs may recommend starting by taking the drug in the evenings.

Daily Mail

Food

3 immunity boosting soups can protect against winter viruses

Feel a sniffle coming on? Don’t reach for the Lemsip, grab a hand blender and whip up a soup which can help your body fight off winter nasties from the inside out.

It’s the advice of nutritionist Robbie Puddick, who told the Daily Mail that regular servings of hearty soups could be the secret to warding off colds and flu.

While he said the occasional soup isn’t likely to stop you from reaching for the tissues, having them regularly can ‘support the immune system’ as it’s ‘inherently a very healthy thing to consume’.

He explained: ‘It’s really easy to digest, and obviously, we’re in a generation where gut health and digestive issues are quite common. A lot of people suffer with IBS-like symptoms and poor gut health.

‘But consuming things like soup is a great way of providing really bioavailable nutrition—the proteins from meat will be easier to break down and digest by your gut and the plant-based compounds are beneficial.’

However, while it may be tempting to pick up a tin of soup that takes just minutes to prepare, he warned that ‘they’re often packed full of sugar’ so it’s better if ‘you’re making them from fresh’ which allows you to ‘know exactly what’s in them’.

There’s something distinctly comforting about a bowl of soup on a cold day—regardless of if you’re ill or not—and there could be a scientific reason for it.

After the coronavirus pandemic, a 2022 study looked at the healing properties of traditional Iranian folk medicine—including both chicken and barley soups—when taken by people recovering from covid.

A steaming bowl of chicken soup has long been seen as the perfect tonic for a streaming cold or flu, and the study confirmed it does offer some sort of healing properties.

The researchers found that people who ate soup recovered up to 2.5 days faster than those who didn’t.

Furthermore, they reported milder symptoms of nasal congestion, sore throat and fatigue, and in some people, reduced levels of inflammation-related markers.

Often, soups are made with a base of immunity-boosting herbs, spices and vegetables including garlic, onion, and ginger, all of which are packed with antioxidants and have natural bacteria-beating qualities.

They are also natural sources of vitamins A and C which power the immune system.

A warm mug or bowl of soup also has the potential to loosen mucus and soothe sore throats—plus it’s easy to swallow and digest.

Mr Puddick, who is one of the experts from the NHS’ weight loss programme Second Nature, has shared three soups with ingredients that will help support your immune system in the colder months.

From a hearty, meaty soup to a traditional tomato, find out why you need to add these delicious and cheap to make meals to your weekly menu.

Goulash Soup

The first recipe that he recommended was Goulash Soup, a traditional Hungarian dish

This traditional Hungarian dish is a watery version of a beef stew that includes a multitude of immune system boosting ingredients.

The soup’s origins lie in the ninth century, when it was eaten by shepherds who moved large herds of livestock and sheep through the Hungarian mountains.

In those days it would be made in a cauldron, known as a bogrács, hung from a chain over an open fire.

However, the recipe has evolved throughout history, with the addition of paprika added after the invading Ottomans introduced the spice to Hungary in the 15th century.

Overall, goulash is packed with lots of ingredients that are good for you including garlic, which Mr Puddick says is ‘a big win’ because it contains allicin.

He said: ‘Allicin has been shown in clinical trials to stimulate immune cell activity, which is great for just an individual ingredient.

‘If we’re having garlic regularly across the week, and we put a large amount in our soups, it is definitely a big win.’

Meanwhile, probiotics—good bacteria—found in the Greek yoghurt in this soup, can also help the immune system.

‘There is a good connection between, consuming probiotics and our immune function,’ said Mr Puddick.

A 2011 study showed probiotics, also known as ‘good bacteria’, can help stave off the common cold by stimulating the immune system.

Other research has shown that the ‘good bacteria’ in probiotics support a healthy gut microbiome.

A healthy gut microbiome has the right types of bacteria thriving together to support digestion, the immune system and even mental health.

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, finely diced or minced
1 tsp ground paprika
400g diced beef
400g mushrooms, sliced
1 carrot, diced
1L beef stock
1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
200g potatoes, cut into 1cm cubes
100g plain natural or Greek yoghurt
50g fresh flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Method

Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large saucepan, over medium heat. Fry the onion, garlic, and paprika, until softened.
Add the beef and stir until evenly browned. Add the mushrooms and carrots, and cook until softened.
Pour in the stock and tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for up to 1 hour.
Add the potatoes and cook uncovered for 20 – 30mins, or until the potatoes are tender.
Ladle into bowls, and top with a spoonful of yoghurt and chopped parsley.

Tomato soup

When you are not feeling well you may be craving a tin of tomato soup and a cheese toastie.

But a tin of Heinz’s tomato soup, while delicious, is packed with 20g of sugar—which is two thirds of the NHS adult daily recommended intake.

So, keeping in line with the advice of Mr Puddick, it’s always better to whizz up a steaming bowl of red soup using fresh ingredients at home.

This soup has a smooth texture is a brilliant source of vitamin C, which previous studies have found contributes to immune defence.

However, he said it’s better to get it from food rather than supplements because foods have the right balance of vitamin C and zinc.

‘When we consume these ingredients from whole foods, they come in the right balance, so this doesn’t tend to be an issue.’

Typically, he added that tomato soups can be lacking in protein which can leave people still hungry.

‘A lot of people have tomato soup with a bit of bread on the side and that’s their lunch, and they might feel hungry an hour or two after,’ he said.

‘It’s probably because they haven’t provided their body with enough protein alongside it.

‘So, it may be better to have it as a side, or with eggs or some smoked salmon on the side if a main.’

Luckily, this tomato soup recipe includes cannellini beans, giving it some additional protein.

If you’re vegan, you can also skip the cream, which is added for smoothness, and use coconut milk instead.

Ingredients

1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 large carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 x 400g tins whole or chopped tomatoes
2 x 400g tins cannellini beans
700ml water or vegetable stock
300 ml single cream
Handful fresh basil, to serve

Method

Add the oil to a large saucepan, over medium heat.
Add the carrots and onions, and cook until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and lower the heat to low/medium. Cook for 25 minutes to reduce the acidity of the tomatoes.
Add the beans and stock, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and add the cream, transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender until smooth.
Top with the fresh basil and serve

Roasted cauliflower and fennel soup

Cauliflower is a cruciferous superfood that’s low in carbs which supports digestion, heart health and the immune system.

It is rich in vitamin C and vitamin K both of which can help support your immune response.

Studies have shown that fennel is rich in antioxidants that protect against cell damage and support the immune system.

This soup contains basil, which is rich in antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties like vitamin K that are great for your immune system.

‘A lot of herbs and spices have anti-inflammatory properties,’ said Mr Puddick.

Interestingly, he explained a lot of people think all inflammation is unhealthy, when it is integral to the immune system.

In the right amounts, he said: ‘Inflammation is healing, and our immune system, our immune response, is an inflammatory response.

‘It’s our body sending out these killer cells and all of these immune-supporting cells that can fight pathogens and infection.’

Adding walnuts to this soup, he added, ensure that you feel satiated for longer, preventing unnecessary snacking.

Walnuts are rich in omega-3s, protein, fibre and antioxidants which are great for your heart and brain.

A recent study found that eating walnuts can boost your brain power, improving memory in young adults

Meanwhile, another found a fistful of walnuts a day can lower bad cholesterol which has been linked to increased risk of heart disease.

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small fennel bulb, roughly chopped
1 shallot, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely diced or minced
150mL water
800mL chicken stock
300mL single cream
2 bay leaves
60g hazelnuts
1 small handful of chives, sliced

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan.
Toss cauliflower in 2 tbsp oil on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
Roast the cauliflower for 30–35 minutes (tossing halfway) or until florets are browned all over and tender.
While the cauliflower is roasting, add 1 tbsp olive oil to a large saucepan, over medium heat.
Fry the shallot, fennel and garlic until softened (5-8mins). Add 150ml water and cook until mostly evaporated (around 5mins).
Add roasted cauliflower, stock, cream, and bay leaves; season lightly with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until cauliflower is very tender, 20 minutes.
While the soup is simmering, fry the bacon in a small non-stick frying pan and set aside once golden brown. No need to add any oil as the bacon will release oils.
In the same pan fry the hazelnuts until golden and roasted. Set aside to cool and then roughly chop. Remove the bay leaves from the soup and discard.
Allow the cauliflower mixture to cool slightly before using a blender or stick/immersion blender until a smooth consistency is formed.
Serve topped with hazelnuts

Daily Mail

COMMUNITY

Saudi German Hospital Dubai Celebrates the UAE’s 54th Union Day with a Staff-Centered Community Gathering

Dubai, UAE — 28 November 2025

Saudi German Hospital Dubai celebrated the UAE’s 54th Union Day with a special community event held in the hospital garden, bringing together medical leadership, nursing teams, administrative staff, and employees from all departments. The gathering reflected the spirit of unity, pride, and Emirati heritage.

The celebration began at 3:00 PM in a beautifully prepared garden setting, where staff enjoyed a vibrant cultural program featuring Emirati horse shows, traditional dance performances, authentic Emirati cuisine, henna painting, and a variety of interactive activities that highlighted the richness of the UAE’s identity. The event provided employees with a joyful and meaningful opportunity to celebrate the nation’s remarkable journey.

Honoring Team Spirit and the Emirati Identity

Hospital leadership expressed deep appreciation to the SGH Dubai workforce for their continuous dedication, resilience, and commitment to patient care. They emphasized that the strength of the hospital lies in its people and in the unity that connects them.

Dr. Ahmed Eissa, Group CEO of Saudi German Hospital UAE, shared:

“Union Day is a celebration of a nation that continues to lead with vision, compassion, and determination. Today, we also celebrate the incredible people who bring these values to life within our hospitals. Every doctor, nurse, technician, and employee plays a vital role in caring for our patients and supporting the UAE’s healthcare mission. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to the UAE’s wise leadership, whose continuous efforts have made this country one of the best places in the world to live, work, and thrive. Their vision is the foundation of the stability, opportunity, and progress we all enjoy. As we gather here, we honor the UAE’s journey and renew our promise to serve its people with integrity, innovation, and dedication.”

A Celebration of Culture and Connection

The event showcased the essence of Emirati culture and strengthened the sense of belonging among staff. The shared experiences and cultural activities enhanced team spirit and reflected the UAE’s values of unity, respect, and community.

Saudi German Hospital Dubai continues to stand alongside its employees and the wider community in advancing healthcare excellence and contributing to a healthier and brighter future for the UAE.

For more information please visit our website: https://saudigerman.com/dubai/