wellness
Why People Are Sleeping Worse in Ljubljana and What to Do About It
Longer screen exposure and denser city noise have shortened rest for many locals, yet practical adjustments at home and through nearby programs are showing results.
How we reported this
Sixty-two percent of adults in Ljubljana now report sleeping under seven hours on weeknights, according to figures compiled last month by the city health department.
The drop tracks with steady growth in evening device use and traffic volumes along routes such as Celovška cesta and Dunajska cesta. Residents describe fragmented nights that leave them less alert at work and slower to recover after weekend activity.
Local pressures on rest
People living near Prešernov trg and the Dragon Bridge cite late tram schedules and outdoor café noise as frequent interrupters. A separate survey by the University of Ljubljana’s Institute of Psychology, released in April, linked higher cortisol readings among shift workers in the Šiška district to irregular bedtimes. At the same time, the Ljubljana Recreation Centre on Vodovodna ulica has seen a 28 percent increase in requests for evening relaxation classes since January 2025.
These patterns match wider European data. The Slovenian Institute of Public Health reported in its 2025 annual review that average nightly sleep in the capital fell from 7.1 hours in 2022 to 6.4 hours last year. The same report noted a 19 percent rise in over-the-counter sleep aid purchases at pharmacies along Trubarjeva cesta.
Practical steps that fit daily routines
City wellness coaches recommend setting a fixed lights-out time and keeping phones outside the bedroom. The Tivoli Park running group, which meets at 7 a.m. on weekdays near the central fountain, has added a short stretching sequence aimed at easing evening muscle tension. Participants pay 12 euros per month and report falling asleep faster after two weeks of consistent attendance.
Residents can also book 45-minute sound-bath sessions at the Bežigrad community centre on Wednesday evenings for 18 euros. Staff there advise pairing the sessions with a 10 p.m. curfew on screens and a short walk along the Ljubljanica riverbank beforehand. Those who follow both steps for a month typically record an extra 45 minutes of continuous sleep on wearable trackers, according to informal logs kept by the centre.
Anyone experiencing persistent fatigue should speak with a local physician before trying new routines.