Make Sleep Health a Priority
Sleep is such an essential part of life. Sleep rests the body and rejuvenates, but the challenge is whether one gets sufficient of it. It is not uncommon for people to have disturbed sleep when something disturbs or bothers them. The question that would have come to most of us at some time in our lives is, why am I unable to sleep well? Well, you are not alone. Millions of people struggle to get sound sleep. World Sleep Society works on Sleep. It took the initiative to observe “World Sleep Day” to raise awareness about the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being. Every year, it is observed on the Friday before the Spring Equinox (falls on 14th March), the world comes together to observe World Sleep Day. The observation aims to raise awareness about the importance of sleep for overall health and well-being. Started in 2008 by the World Sleep Society, it advocates for policies recognising sleep as a fundamental aspect of public health. The reason for choosing the day of Friday before the Spring Equinox is not apparent. However, it could be due to the equinox marking a time of nearly equal daylight and darkness, symbolising the importance of balance-including a balanced sleep-wake cycle.
Sleep Well, Live well.
Sleep is not only a state of rest. It is a crucial physiological process that supports cognitive function, emotional stability, immune health, and overall bodily restoration. Research has shown that inadequate sleep is linked to various health conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and weakened immune response. Sleep influences your daily mood and how you manage your emotions. As sleep deprivation becomes a global concern, raising awareness about proper sleep hygiene is crucial.
Many people around the world suffer from sleep disorders that go undiagnosed or untreated. Â ~10-30% of adults worldwide struggle with insomnia, making it one of the most common sleep disorders. ~2-9% of adults are affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (a condition where repeated stopping and starting of breathing during sleep). Conditions such as restless legs syndrome (creating uncomfortable sensations in the legs) affect around 5-15% of people, and narcolepsy contributes to widespread sleep disturbances. The numbers are similar in India, though the rate of people who have insomnia is much higher (33%), and so is Obstructive Sleep Apnea ~13%. Sleep disorders impact mental health, and researchers indicate that people with insomnia are likely to experience mental health issues (>10 times). Â
Paying attention to what you eat and when you eat will improve sleep quality and overall health.
How much you sleep is essential, and equally crucial is the quality of your sleep. How much sleep you need varies depending on your age. Infants need long hours of sleep, 12-16 hours. As one becomes older, the requirement for hours of sleep reduces. If you are 65+, 7-8 hours should be sufficient. An Internet search indicates that the record for the longest time a person was 453 hours and 40 minutes. Another condition is that some people require less sleep (a condition known as Short Sleeper Syndrome). Such records have been subsequently removed from Guinness World Records. Japan, Taiwan, and Sweden are among the countries with the highest rates of insomnia globally.
Ancient Indian scriptures have a rich understanding of sleep and its significance. The Yajur Veda includes prayers for good sleep and the avoidance of nightmares. The Mandukya Upanishad mentions deep sleep as one state of consciousness. It highlights the significance of deep sleep as a state of rest and rejuvenation. In Ayurveda, sleep (nidra) is considered one of the three pillars of health. There is another aspect of interpreting the dreams. Ancient Indian texts also delve into the interpretation of dreams. Dreams were often seen as messages from the subconscious or the divine.
World Sleep Day serves as a wake-up call
to acknowledge the fundamental role of sleep
in maintaining health and well-being.
The advice: Sleep well and live well. But the challenge is, can we? World Sleep Day is a wake-up call to recognise the importance of good sleep in maintaining health and well-being.
Toons: Shreya Â
Logs: M Sai Baba
ToonLogs
