Insomniac numbers booming in China

Sun Hua, chief physician with the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said that at least 30 to 40 percent of Chinese have sleep disorders, which is a big concern in society.

"A lot of people go to bed very late, have poor sleep quality and feel quite tired the next day," according to Sun.

He said that bad life habits such as drinking tea, coffee or alcohol at night have bred many night owls in China.

An important factor behind insomnia is psychological pressure, added Zhou Keda, director of the Institute of Social Sciences with the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences.

"People face much job and life pressure in an increasingly fast-paced world, which inevitably leads to sleeping disorders," he explained.

He said that many people, especially the young, habitually use electronic devices such as phones and computers before bed time, which also lowers their sleep quality.

Zhou stressed that burning the midnight oil will damage health in the long run, saying that many young people's health is already on the wane due to this unhealthy behavior.

The institute director suggested that people suffering from anxiety establish short-term and long-term goals in life, which could help them cope with pressure and form more natural patterns of life.

Sun Hua emphasized the importance of following a regular working and resting routine, advising people to avoid stimulating drinks before going to bed and to cut use of electronic devices.

He added that doing relaxing exercises including yoga and meditation could relieve pressure and would be a good way to fight insomnia.

"What's really important is that people should follow the natural biological clock and learn to deal with pressure. Only in this way can they truly be free from anxiety and sleep tight at night," said Sun.