The Great Aussie Wake-Up: Inside the country's sleep struggles and skipped breakfasts

Research shows Gen Z is among the worst offenders in the ‘Generation Snooze’ epidemic, with 70% hitting snooze every morning.

• 91% of Australians have trouble falling or staying asleep in a typical week
• More than half (52%) hit snooze at least once - with 11% of Gen Z hitting the snooze button at least 120 times a month.
• 16% of Aussies admit to going back to the buffet three or more times when travelling
• New research commissioned by Holiday Inn Express, who is on a mission to help Aussies sleep better, wake easier and never miss brekkie again

Turns out Aussies are exhausted – and it’s mornings that are feeling the pinch. The Great Aussie Wake-Up, commissioned by Holiday Inn Express – part of IHG Hotels & Resorts essentials portfolio – found Australians are a nation of restless sleepers, chronic snoozers and on-the-go breakfast skippers. The research forms part of a wider Asia Pacific survey spanning Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore, digging into how mornings really look across the region – from missed alarms to skipped meals and everything in between.

The research reveals that 91% of Australians struggle to fall or stay asleep in a typical week, and 93% regularly wake up too early. So it’s no surprise the snooze button is getting a workout: more than half (52%) of Australians smack it before even getting out of bed. Gen Z are amongst the worst offenders, with a massive 70% regularly hitting the button - and one in ten tapping snooze at least 120 times a month.

It’s not just what time Aussies are waking up - it’s what happens next. 78% of Aussies skip breakfast when travelling, and 17% say it’s because they don’t want to spend money. But when travellers commit to brekkie, they go big, with 1 in 6 Aussies hitting the buffet three times or more every morning (no judgement).

So what’s the solution to better mornings? According to one of Australia’s leading sleep and well-being experts, it all starts the night before.

Olivia Arezzolo is weighing in on the research, sharing simple strategies and expert tips to help Aussies protect their sleep, reset their routines, and start the day feeling human again.

“These numbers don’t surprise me - we’re a nation of exhausted overachievers who aren’t giving ourselves the rest we need to function. When sleep suffers, so does everything else, from focus and memory to mood, energy and even appetite,” said Arezzolo.

“The good news? You don’t need a full life overhaul to feel better. A few small tweaks, like getting 20 minutes of sunlight within 30 minutes of waking, can help reset your body clock so you feel more energised during the day, and naturally wind down at night.”

“And if you’re struggling to stick to a routine while travelling, my advice is to pack a mini sleep kit – the classics like an eye mask and earplugs, plus a few unexpected hacks like a binder clip for blackout blinds or a mini warm-light lamp to ease into rest mode.”

But even with the best intentions, travel can throw even well-established routines off track – with 35% of Aussies admitting they struggle to wake up on time when away, and 37% snoozing more than usual when they’re not in their own bed.

In fact, 76% of Australians say they lose parts of their regular morning routine on the road. The most commonly dropped habits? Exercise (39%), checking emails or news (33%), and eating breakfast (23%). Whether it’s the shift in schedule or simply the joy of switching off, some rituals don’t always make it into our suitcases.

Dean Jones, Vice President of Commercial, East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the findings highlight just how much Aussies are craving calmer, more consistent mornings – and how even small comforts can make a big difference when travelling.

“Simple, smart travel is in the brand’s DNA and we’ve done a tremendous amount to provide our guests with the best experience and support during their stay – particularly with mornings in mind,” says Jones.

“We know from the research that most Aussies are struggling with sleep, and 78% skip breakfast when they travel – often because they don’t want to spend extra. We’ve intentionally designed the Holiday Inn Express experience with the best of both worlds, with everything needed from a proper night’s sleep to a free hot breakfast. We want guests to maximise their stay with us, whether it’s for work or pleasure, or both, and the research has been a great way to help direct our attention to do more of what matters most.”

Holiday Inn Express has centred itself around offering simple, smart travel for guests, reflected in over 3,200 hotels globally and more than 630 in the pipeline. All stays are backed by IHG One Rewards, IHG’s loyalty program with over 145+ million global members, for guests to earn points and be rewarded for their stay.

Discover 10 standout destinations across Australia and New Zealand – from Queensland to Queenstown, Sydney Airport to the Sunshine Coast – and book your stay at:
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/gb/en/reservation

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