For the first time, World Sleep Day was held on March 14, 2008 at the initiative of the International Sleep Day Committee. World Sleep Day Committee of the International Sleep Medicine Association. World Association of Sleep Medicine, WASM) and has since been held annually, on the Friday before the spring equinox. Each year, events within the framework of the day are dedicated to a specific topic, demonstrating its social and health orientation.
Sleep — is a special form of existence for the body, no less complex than daytime wakefulness. During proper sleep, the body restores the energy spent on daytime activity, « puts itself in order». That is why a healthy person wakes up with a feeling of freshness and a surge of strength.
On World Sleep Day, public service announcements are stepped up and conferences and symposia are organized to raise awareness of the importance of sleep, sleep problems and the impact of disorders associated with sleep on human health and society as a whole.
Balanced nutrition, proper organization of daily routine, sufficient sleep time — necessary conditions for maintaining physical and mental health for many years.
On average, each person spends a third of their life sleeping. During sleep, we experience minimal levels of brain activity and decreased reactions.
Try not to accumulate periods of «lack of sleep»... (Photo: wavebreakmedia, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
It has been proven that long periods of «lack of sleep» negatively affect the quality of life: a sense of humor disappears, irritability, isolation, and fixation on the same problems appear. Losing just 4 hours of sleep reduces the reaction by 45%. Memory deteriorates, and various diseases may worsen.
Doctors call poor sleep a step towards future strokes, heart attacks, hypertension and other serious diseases. At the same time, normal sleep — is one of the effective ways to prevent cardiovascular and many other diseases and obesity. Experts say that lack of sleep not only reduces performance, but also leads to nervous disorders. Sleep helps the brain get rid of everything unnecessary by «cleaning off unnecessary proteins from neural connections.
To get enough sleep, just follow a few simple rules. Try not to accumulate periods of «lack of sleep». Do not take alcohol or caffeinated foods before bed — they negatively affect the nervous system. It is known that it harms the quality of sleep if you go to bed hungry or, conversely, eat heavily. After dinner and before bedtime it should be about 4 hours.
Children need to sleep at least 10 hours a day for normal body function (Photo: Katrina Elena, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
However, sleeping a lot — is no less harmful than not getting enough sleep. According to scientists, the ideal sleep duration for an adult is 7-8 hours a day. Some experts believe that women need an extra hour of sleep because they are more emotional. For children to function normally, they need to sleep at least 10 hours a day. Full sleep can reduce their manifestations of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and improve behavior.
Let this holiday be another reason to pay attention to your sleep, and, therefore, your health. Pleasant, healthy, full sleep!
Interestingly, in July Finland celebrates the popular holiday — Sonya Day. And in recent years, — Public Sleep Day, celebrated at the end of February, has become increasingly widespread and popular.