It often happens that we forget to celebrate the little important things in life, for instance- our sleep. It is only when we are faced with the lack of our daily rest that we recognize its significance. With a view to celebrating sleep and educate people on its importance, the World Sleep Day was initiated in 2007 by a group of ardent health care experts. World Sleep Day is celebrated every year by The World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society. This society organizes this event annually in various parts of the world to bring to light the importance of healthy sleep and the consequences we must face if we neglect it.  The event celebrates sleep and deals with important issues related to sleep, such as medicine and education. The day is also celebrated with the intent to lessen the burden of society when it comes to sleep problems by preventing sleep disorders as well as managing them. This day is celebrated every year on the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox. This year the day was celebrated on March 13, while in 2021, it will be celebrated on March 12.

Things You Should Know About World Sleep Day

There are various things that must come to mind when thinking of a day that celebrates something highly unconventional. If you’re curious about World Sleep Day, we are here to answer some questions for you.

Who Created World Sleep Day?

This annual day of awareness began with a group of devoted healthcare professionals and members of the medical committee that worked and studied in the field of sleep research and medicine. The very first co-chairs of world sleep day included Liborio Parrino and Antonio Culebras.

Why Is World Sleep Day Celebrated?

Sleep should be a high priority in everybody’s lives, given that there are great consequences of not getting enough sleep. However, it has been noticed by professionals of sleep medicine and researchers that sleep has often been neglected as a part of personal health. It is to weed out this neglect of sleep and highlight its importance that the World Sleep Day is celebrated.

How Is World Sleep Day Supported?

This day is supported by a nonprofit based society called the World Sleep Society (WSS) in the United States. The bylaws of the organization make it clear that it does not endorse, recommend, or support any services or products. However, the even accepts any corporate sponsorships that help assist the cost of the event.

Importance of Healthy Sleep

Good sleep is probably as important as healthy eating and exercising, if not more. If you want to understand why we should give sleep the importance that it deserves read on:

• Maintaining A Healthy Weight – Short sleeping hours are directly linked with obesity and weight gain. Without enough sleep, you are unable to get the motivation to work out and face hormonal imbalance, which might have an adverse effect on your weight.
• Improving Concentration and Productivity – If you want to maximize your problem-solving skills and enhance your memory, your only solution is getting an adequate amount of sleep. Poor sleep inhibits brain function and slows you down considerably in the long run.
• Reducing the Risk of Diseases – If in case you’re sleeping less than 7-8 hours per night, you are at a high risk of catching a heart disease or having a stroke. Your immunity also suffers a blow due to poor sleep; hence you need to be careful about your sleeping habits.
• Preventing Depression – Research shows that getting insufficient sleep and poor sleeping patterns are directly linked to depression. This stands particularly for those who have a sleeping disorder.
• Improving Immunity– Small losses of sleep go on to greatly affect your sleep. A 2-week study has also proven that people who have not had enough sleep are more likely to fall sick as compared to those who have slept well.

What Happens If You Don’t Sleep Enough?

Sleep deficiency causes problems with focusing, reacting, and learning. You could have trouble making decisions, remembering things, solving problems, or controlling your emotional behavior. You might find yourself taking longer to finish tasks, react more slowly, and make several mistakes. The symptoms and signs of sleep deficiency differ greatly between children and adults. Children who do not get enough sleep will often be more active and find it difficult to focus on. Children might also have mood swings, show impulsive behavior, feel anxious or depressed, and lack motivation. If you do not get enough sleep, several things in your life could suffer, including your mental and physical health, personal safety, and quality of life. Try and understand how much sleep is enough as per your health and age requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is the World Sleep Day Celebrated?

World Sleep Day is celebrated to highlight the benefits of good sleep and healthy sleeping habits. It is important to draw people’s attention to problems that arise from the lack of sleep and discuss their medical significance. This day is a bid to solve and prevent sleep disorders around the world.

What Is the Importance of Sleep?

Sleep is one of the most vital functions in our body, but it is gravely neglected by many people who prefer to overwork or maintain unhealthy sleeping habits. Sleep is highly important because it helps your body repair any damages it might have suffered and readied it for another day. Adequate rest is also important to prevent excess weight, reduce the risk of heart diseases, and improve immunity.

When Is National Sleep Awareness Week?

The National sleep foundation hosted its annual sleep awareness week from March 8 to March 14, 2020. This annual celebration is done with a view to increase awareness about healthy sleeping habits and to improve the overall health of people.