Photo: Avis Leigh Bader
We all know we need a good night's sleep to function well, but it can often be elusive - particularly in these muggy nights of summer.
Researchers at the University of Auckland found 40 percent of Kiwis get less than seven hours a night, with Māori and Pasifika in particular, reporting higher rates of shorter sleep.
Seven to nine hours are considered optimal, anything less can have a big impact on your health - from immune and cardiovascular systems to psychological behaviour.
A study late last year from researchers at the University of California San Francisco found poor sleep quality in the over-40s can age the brain. So if sleep is a struggle - what are your options?
Kate Mikhail is a former chronic insomniac who researched her way out of her sleep problems.
She wrote a book on her findings called 'Teach Yourself to Sleep: An ex-insomniac's guide' and joins Kathryn with her tips on what works well.
