If sleep is so essential, why does it feel so hard to get?
In schools, we’ve come to expect exhaustion.
Long days, emotional demands, constant decision-making, and the pressure to support everyone else, it’s no wonder that sleep often becomes the first thing we sacrifice. We’ve normalised running on empty and, in many cases, glorified it as a sign of commitment and dedication.
But the truth is: we can’t keep showing up for others if we’re not taking care of ourselves.
In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, I’m joined by Lisa Maltman, founder of The Sleep Connection, to explore how sleep is not just essential for students, it’s critical for teachers, school leaders, and parents too.
Whether you’re waking up tired, pushing through brain fog, or noticing how your own lack of rest is impacting your relationships, teaching, or leadership, this conversation is for you.
What you’ll learn in this episode
- Why 40% of Australian adults aren’t getting enough sleep and what that’s costing us.
- How poor sleep impacts your mental health, relationships, and daily performance.
- The difference between “can’t sleep” and “won’t sleep”.
- How our late-night habits, tech overload and constant stress sabotage sleep quality.
- Practical strategies to improve sleep without adding pressure.
Who Is Lisa Maltman?
Lisa Maltman is a sleep wellness educator and the founder of The Sleep Connection. Her journey into sleep health began while working in a sleep clinic, where she saw firsthand how improving sleep helped people rediscover their energy, mood, and overall wellbeing.
But for Lisa, it’s not just professional, it’s personal. She’s experienced the debilitating effects of insomnia brought on by stress and knows what it feels like to hit rock bottom. That experience fuels her mission to support others in reclaiming their health, focus and joy through better sleep.
Lisa has worked with more than 100 schools across Australia, helping students, staff, and parents transform their wellbeing and school performance through practical sleep education.
Why This Conversation Matters
We are living in a sleep-deprived society. In Australia alone, 40% of adults don’t get enough sleep and it’s impacting everything from our immune system and mental health, to empathy, decision-making, and job performance. (Sleep Foundation – Mental Health & Sleep).
As Professor Matthew Walker shares in his TED talk Sleep is Your Superpower, sleep is one of the most important pillars of health—equal to nutrition and exercise, if not more essential. His bestselling book Why We Sleep makes it clear: sleep affects every major system of the body and mind.
And it’s not just adults. Teenagers are especially vulnerable.
Lisa’s work with teens in schools has shown just how powerful sleep education can be. In a 5-minute segment on ABC’s Ask Your Doctor, she shares the story of Monique, a sleep-deprived student who turned her academic and emotional life around by prioritising sleep. By making changes in Year 11, Monique saw significant improvements in her mood, motivation, and concentration, and went on to complete her HSC successfully.
You can quote us on that…
“Work out what is stopping you sleeping and get the right sort of help for that. ”
Lisa Maltman
“Sleep impacts the key parts of our brain responsible for our mood, our decision making, and even our empathy levels.”
Lisa Maltman
Contact
Lisa Maltman Website | LinkedIn | Facebook
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Hi, I'm Meg!
B.Phys Ed, M. Ed (Student Wellbeing), CIPP
I’m a teacher with experience working in primary and secondary schools across Australia, and a specialist in the field of wellbeing education and coaching. I founded Open Mind Education in 2013 with a vision of sharing practical, enriching wellbeing education with staff, parents, and broader school communities.
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