Zizi Kirana opens up about month-long insomnia after demanding overseas missions
KUALA LUMPUR: Singer Zizi Kirana has revealed that she has been struggling with insomnia for more than a month, attributing the condition to an exhausting schedule involving humanitarian missions overseas, frequent international travel and continuous work commitments with little opportunity for proper rest.
The 41-year-old said the sleep difficulties began after a series of back-to-back trips, during which she balanced humanitarian assignments with professional and personal obligations.
According to Zizi, her schedule had already become physically demanding before joining the Sumud humanitarian mission, as she had been making repeated trips to Aceh while simultaneously completing music projects and attending to legal matters before travelling to Egypt.
She said the constant workload left her body and mind with insufficient time to recover, as she remained actively involved in humanitarian efforts upon arriving in Egypt, including transporting supplies and moving between multiple logistics centres.
After spending 10 days in Egypt, Zizi continued her travels to Spain for nearly a week before heading to Italy, returning to Malaysia only briefly to settle several important matters before resuming recording sessions in the studio.
She said the continuous travel and repeated changes in time zones disrupted her body’s natural rhythm, making it difficult to readjust to Malaysia’s local time.
The singer explained that her recording schedule, which often runs from 9pm until 5am, has further complicated her sleeping pattern, as her body continues to operate according to European time even after returning home.
Following those engagements, she travelled once again for another humanitarian mission in Marmaris, Türkiye, before continuing to Istanbul, adding further strain to her physical condition.
Zizi believes the combination of prolonged travel, severe jet lag and inadequate rest has contributed significantly to her ongoing sleep disorder.
Despite the persistent insomnia, she said she is grateful that she has not experienced other health complications such as migraines or serious physical illness.
To maintain her health during humanitarian missions, Zizi said she has consistently taken multivitamins and vitamin C, while also making a conscious effort to strengthen her immune system through proper self-care.
She said she considers maintaining good health essential to fulfilling her responsibilities and has continued praying while taking practical steps to look after her well-being.
Although she remains physically active, Zizi admitted that sleeping has become her biggest challenge since returning from her overseas assignments at the end of May.
She said she often tries to tire herself out through various activities in the hope of getting a full night’s rest, but frequently wakes after only a few hours of sleep despite feeling completely exhausted.
The singer also revealed that her mother has become increasingly concerned about her condition and has encouraged her to seek medical attention if the problem persists.
According to Zizi, her mother has advised her to continue reciting prayers and remembrance (zikir), while also reminding her not to hesitate to consult a doctor should the insomnia worsen.
She said she hopes the condition will improve as her schedule gradually becomes more manageable and her body is able to recover from the physical and mental demands of recent months.
