World Sleep Day 2024 - History, Theme and Ways to Celebrate

Did you know that there is a day that is dedicated to celebrating sleep? Yes, it really exists. World Sleep Day is an annual event that is meant to celebrate sleep and to raise awareness on anything that is related to sleep such as sleep quality issues, education, social aspects and the burden of sleep disorders that is placed on society.

In this article, let’s take a better look at what World Sleep Day is about and how it is celebrated.

What Day Is World Sleep Day?

This year’s World Sleep Day is set to take place on Friday, 15 March with the theme of Sleep Equity for Global Health.

History of World Sleep Day

World Sleep Day was first started by the World Sleep Day committee of the World Sleep Society. It is an annual event that is typically observed on the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox. The goal was to raise societal awareness of important issues related to the burden of sleep problems and how people could better prevent and manage sleep disorders.

The first annual World Sleep Day event, organised by the World Sleep Day committee was held on 14 March 2008.

World Sleep Day: Significance

Sleep is an important aspect of maintaining good physical health and supporting healthy brain function. Without getting enough sleep, it can affect the way you think, behave, work, and learn. In the long term, it can put you at risk of chronic health problems. That is why it is important to address the significance of sleep and sleep problems.

Sleep deprivation affects mental health

There is a strong correlation between sleep and mental health. Some studies have shown that sleep deprivation can change the activity in some parts of the brain. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recently conducted a survey in 2023 and found that 50% of all adults who sleep less than the recommended amount of 7 to 9 hours per night, experienced symptoms of depression– ranging from mild to moderate levels.

Poor sleep health increases the risk of chronic health diseases

Getting a healthy sleep at night allows the body time to restore and recover properly, which is crucial for health. A 2019 study found that people who sleep less than six hours a night were 27% more likely to develop a cardiovascular disease called atherosclerosis. People with insomnia were also 30% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Sleep disorders affect between 30-45% of adults

Specific sleep disorders like insomnia is found to affect anywhere between 30-45% of the adult population. Insomnia can leave a negative impact in one’s life from poor work performance to being more prone to accidents.

World Sleep Day: Timeline

2008: First World Sleep Day event held and hosted by World Sleep Society

2021: #WorldSleepDay hashtag started trending on social media platform, X.

2024: World Sleep Day event to be held on Friday, 15 March with the theme: Sleep Equity for Global Health.

How to Celebrate World Sleep Day

1. Sleep!

The best thing that you can do for yourself on World Sleep Day is to sleep! Find a quiet and dark space and sleep as long as you want! However, if that is not a feasible option for you, try taking a short 15-20 minutes nap. Getting some form of rest will help you to feel refreshed and keep your mind alert to continue with the rest of your day.

2. Practice good sleep hygiene

Practicing good sleep hygiene is just as important as practicing good physical hygiene. This means setting up a sleep routine and cultivating healthy habits. Some examples of good sleep hygiene include:

• A fixed bedtime schedule: Set a time for when to go to sleep and when to wake up each day. Following a fixed schedule can help the body to better adapt to a healthy sleep cycle.
• Avoid caffeine before bed: Caffeine is a stimulant that keeps your mind active. Try to avoid consuming any sort of caffeine products at least 8 hours before bedtime.
• Avoid using electronic devices at night: Sounds and blue light that emits from electronic device can disrupt melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. Try to avoid using them at least an hour before bedtime.

3. Download a sleep app

If you find yourself struggling to keep to a fixed sleep schedule and need some help, you may want to try downloading a sleep app. For example, the ShutEye® App provides some features like sleep tracking, a selection of sleep sounds, music and an in-app alarm. Depending on your sleep routine goals, all of these could potentially help you to sleep and wake up better.

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4. Consider speaking to a sleep professional

If you have tried everything and are still struggling with sleep problems, you might want to consider speaking to a sleep professional. A sleep professional will be able to better assess your condition, form a diagnosis and create an appropriate treatment plan for you.

Tips For Better Sleep On World Sleep Day 2024

Besides the ways that you can celebrate World Sleep Day, here are some other tips on how you can get better sleep:

• Switch off the lights
• Set the room at a comfortable temperature
• Practise meditation exercises
• Avoid having a heavy meal before bedtime
• Exercise regularly

ShutEye Teams Up with Somnus Sleep Wellness for World Sleep Day 2024

Happy World Sleep Day 2024 from Somnus Sleep Wellness! As advocates in the sleep-deprived nation of Singapore, we’re excited to raise awareness of the vital importance of sleep health on this day so that people ultimately celebrate their sleep on all 365 days of the year. Sleep is often under-valued and over-sacrificed in pursuit of increased productivity, either at work or in our personal lives. To mark the event, we are organizing a free public webinar on “Knowing Your Sleep Inside Out” to explore the different dimensions of sleep health and what we can do to get satisfying nights in bed.

Eric Lim

Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher, Co-Founder of Somnus Sleep Wellness

In conclusion, World Sleep Day serves as a reminder that sleep is essential for our health. Poor sleep health can have multiple negative impacts on one’s physical and mental health. If you find yourself struggling with sleep, it is important for you to take steps to address it. If necessary, consider reaching out to a professional for advice.

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