Tony Ma, a recent PhD graduate from the China University of Political Science and Law, experienced four long years of sleepless nights as he battled chronic sleep disturbances while working on his thesis. Like many in the Chinese mainland, Ma faced difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and a disrupted circadian rhythm.
It wasn’t until he sought help at the First People’s Hospital of Yinchuan in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region that he discovered an effective treatment. After specialists ruled out psychological factors, they prescribed traditional Chinese medicine sleep aids combined with tailored lifestyle adjustments, ultimately helping Ma regain his much-needed rest.
Ma’s journey reflects a broader trend across the Chinese mainland where sleep disorders are increasingly seen as significant public health issues. Across social media, thousands are sharing personal stories about visiting sleep clinics and their paths to recovery, sparking vibrant discussions on the importance of sleep health.
Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission, has announced plans to establish sleep and mental health clinics in every prefecture-level city by the end of 2025. Already, many public hospitals have introduced specialized services, signaling a rapid response to growing public demand.
A recent report from the China Sleep Big Data Center reveals that adults in the Chinese mainland average between 7.06 and 7.18 hours of sleep per night, with nearly half (48.5%) experiencing sleep disturbances. The study also indicates that women are more affected than men, and that younger individuals—especially those born after 2000—tend to go to bed later.
Experts, including chief neurologist Dr. He Guohua at Changsha Central Hospital in Hunan Province, warn that untreated sleep disorders can lead to cognitive impairments such as memory decline and slower reaction times, which negatively affect daily life and work efficiency. Moreover, such conditions may trigger metabolic disruptions that elevate the risk of hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
In response to this growing awareness, the sleep health market in the Chinese mainland is booming. The industry expanded from 261.63 billion yuan in 2016 to 495.58 billion yuan in 2023, with projections indicating it could surpass one trillion yuan by 2030. Innovations including melatonin supplements, smart sleep-monitoring devices, and sleep-assisting apps are driving the market toward greater intelligence, specialization, and cross-sector integration.
As both traditional and modern approaches converge, the evolving narrative of better sleep is not only transforming individual lives but also reshaping the health industry across the Chinese mainland.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
