World Sleep Day 2024: Background, Motif, and Celebration Ideas
Each year on the Friday before the Spring Equinox, the importance of sleep is celebrated globally during World Sleep Day. This event, initiated by the World Sleep Society in 2008, aims to raise awareness about sleep-related issues such as sleep quality, education, societal aspects, and sleep disorder burdens.
This year, World Sleep Day is slated for Friday, 15 March, under the theme of 'Sleep Equity for Global Health.'
Sleep plays a crucial role in supporting good physical health and healthy brain function. Inadequate sleep can impact how one thinks, behaves, works, and learns, potentially leading to chronic health problems in the long term. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the significance of sleep and sleep-related issues.
Studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between sleep and mental health. For instance, the National Sleep Foundation conducted a survey in 2023 and found that half of all adults who sleep less than the recommended amount of 7 to 9 hours per night experienced depression symptoms, ranging from mild to moderate levels.
Poor sleep health can also increase the risk of chronic health diseases. A 2019 study found that people who sleep less than six hours a night were 27% more likely to develop atherosclerosis, while those with insomnia were 30% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Sleep disorders affect approximately 30-45% of adults. Specifically, insomnia, which leaves a negative impact on work performance and increases the risk of accidents, is found among this population.
World Sleep Day serves as a reminder of the importance of sleep and offers an opportunity to celebrate sleep, educate, and advocate for better sleep health for all.
To celebrate World Sleep Day, one can prioritize sleep by scheduling a fixed bedtime, avoiding caffeine before bedtime, and limiting screen time before sleep. A short nap, as short as 15-20 minutes, can also help one feel refreshed and keep the mind alert. Moreover, downloading a sleep app that offers features like sleep tracking, sleep sounds, and an in-app alarm may aid in maintaining a healthy sleep routine.
If all efforts to improve sleep quality fail, seeking advice from a sleep professional may be beneficial.
By celebrating World Sleep Day, individuals contribute to a global effort to prioritize sleep health and its impact on overall well-being. If you struggle with sleep, consider taking steps to improve your sleep hygiene and seek professional help if necessary.
- Recognizing the significance of sleep and sleep-related issues, as highlighted by World Sleep Day, includes focusing on sleep hygiene to maintain good sleep quality and combat insomnia.
- The intersection of sleep and mental health is a research topic of interest in the field of science, as shown by the study that found half of adults who sleep less than the recommended amount may experience depression symptoms.
- World Sleep Day, an annual event initiated by the World Sleep Society, emphasizes the importance of sleep for health-and-wellness, including reducing the risks of chronic diseases like atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes.
