But sleep debt and sleep deprivation are more worrying than water-cooler griping. And the problem has gained mainstream attention from people such as Ariana Huffington, whose The Sleep Revolution was published last year. She is on a crusade against the "cultural dismissal" of sleep, which compromises our health, work lives, personal lives and even sex lives.
Joburg cardiologist Dr Jeff King, chairman of the South African Society of Sleep Medicine, calls sleep deprivation the "most under-recognised, underdiagnosed medical condition".
King says deep sleep is essential for the body and brain to rest and refuel. The absence of good-quality sleep over an extended period could be at the centre of a range of modern medical maladies, such as chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety, erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure that can lead to heart disease and stroke.
"People should take their lack of sleep seriously and should see a GP if they suspect they're sleep-deprived," says King.
It's being aware of warning signs, such as waking up tired, nodding off at your desk, being an emotional wreck all the time, having impaired memory, or feeling as if your motor skills are off. King cautions against ignoring snoring, gasping for breath while sleeping, high blood pressure and being overweight.