The World Sleep Day: Not for Sleepyheads Only!

Here, we cover everything about the worldwide event that promotes healthy sleep habits
By
Romeo Vitelli
Romeo Vitelli
Expert Writer
Received his doctorate in Psychology in 1987, spent fifteen years as a staff psychologist in Millbrook Correctional Centre. In 2003 went into full-time private practice. read more
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Last updated: September 03, 2023
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The World Sleep Day sounds a bit like invented fun days, such as International Sweatpants Day, World Toilet Day, and the like. World Sleep Day, however, is now officially resonating in many countries and pursuing noble goals. The motto for the 2021 World Sleep Day was: “Regular Sleep, Healthy Future.” Now, what about the next one? When is World Sleep Day 2022? What is the purpose and history behind this event? In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the World Sleep Day and how you can take advantage of it to lead a healthy lifestyle.

About World Sleep Day

The World Sleep Day: Not for Sleepyheads Only!According to the  World Sleep Organization Trusted Source World Sleep Day World Sleep Day is an awareness activity of World Sleep Society, founded by World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and World Sleep Federation (WSF) worldsleepday.org , the World Sleep Day is a sleep awareness activity of the  World Sleep Society Trusted Source World Sleep Society World Sleep Society is a nonprofit, professional membership organization dedicated to advancing sleep health worldwide. To accomplish this mission, World Sleep Society manages a variety of programs that engage the global community of sleep physicians, researchers, and professionals as well the public. worldsleepsociety.org that was originally launched by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and the World Sleep Federation (WSF).

Together they founded the World Sleep Society to jointly highlight the positive aspects of healthy sleep. There has been and is a lot of educational work to be done, especially when it comes to good sleep hygiene, and many people still do not value their sleep enough, with devastating consequences.

According to new reports, 1.2 million accidents happen every year; 20% of the accidents are caused by driver fatigue, with the National Safety Council reporting that drivers are falling asleep Trusted Source Drivers are Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel According to the National Sleep Foundation, about half of U.S. adult drivers admit to consistently getting behind the wheel while feeling drowsy. About 20% admit to falling asleep behind the wheel at some point in the past year – with more than 40% admitting this has happened at least once in their driving careers. www.nsc.org  behind the wheels and that you’re three times more likely to cause an accident when fatigued.

Therefore, the organizers are using the advantage of this day to ask numerous participants around the world to provide information about sleep disorders and unhealthy sleep rhythms and emphasize the benefits of a healthy routine.

History

World Sleep Day was launched in 2008 by the World Association for Sleep Medicine (WASM) to highlight the importance of good sleep and raise awareness of how sleep determines our everyday lives. It has been celebrated annually since then.

If you look at the entry on World Sleep Day on Wikipedia, you will learn that the day is organized under a different motto every year.

Idea and Goal

The idea of the awareness day is to emphasize the important place of sleep as a pillar of health.

This idea has a far-reaching goal and has the message that the quality of life can be improved through healthy sleep.

The World Sleep Society emerged from the collaboration with sleep organizations. Together they want to point out the overriding importance of good sleep.

After all, sleep is still often viewed as a kind of luxury today. Many people are still not aware of how important sleep and good sleep hygiene are for our health.

How bad our sleep is shown repeatedly by various surveys: About a quarter of people regularly report that they sleep an average of only six hours per night – for some, it is only five hours at most.

However, this is anything but a healthy length of sleep and can even result in a shorter life expectancy. The underlying causes of the sleep disorders vary, but overall, sleep disorders seem to have developed into a kind of widespread disease.

When Is It Celebrated?

The Friday before the equinox in March is used to celebrate healthy sleep internationally. Because this date is flexible since 2008 for the World Sleep Day. In 2021, this day of action, initiated by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM), falls on March 19.

The World Sleep Day falls on the third Friday in March. In contrast to many of the other curious holidays and action days gathered here, there is a very specific reason for the World Sleep Day date. The organizers have chosen the one date that always falls before the equinox in March, i.e., March 19, 20, or 21.

The World Sleep Day: Not for Sleepyheads Only!According to the astronomical definition, World Sleep Day is always shortly before the beginning of spring north of the equator or the beginning of autumn in the southern hemisphere.

This day of action falls on the following dates in the coming years:

  • 2022: Friday, March 18
  • 2023: Friday, March 17
  • 2024: Friday, March 15
  • 2025: Friday, March 21
  • 2026: Friday, March 20
  • 2027: Friday, March 19
  • 2028: Friday, March 17
  • 2029: Friday, March 16

In view of the relatively widespread springtime tiredness, it is certainly not the worst idea to point out the need for healthy or adequate sleep.

How Can You Celebrate It?

Without a doubt, the World Sleep Day and, with it, the need for adequate restful sleep deserve a lot of attention. But what exactly should we do to mark the day in due style? Should we now give our loved ones a bouquet of flowers and a greeting card with the friendly wish “Sleep well!”?

Perhaps, World Sleep Day quotes and messages are not a bad idea – but it would be more helpful than good wishes to do something specifically about poor sleep and sleep problems! Not only on the occasion of World Sleep Day, the first steps towards “good sleep” can be taken with these simple but effective sleep tips:

  • Countering sleep disorders with good sleep hygiene: This means, among other things, going to bed at certain set times and creating a pleasant sleeping atmosphere.
  • Banish electronics from the bedroom: Smartphones, tablets, and televisions put the brain into an alarm state with their artificial light and inhibit the release of melatonin. So they have no business in the bedroom
  • Observe dietary rules: Alcohol and nicotine can – just like overly heavy meals – cause poor, restless sleep. Instead of fatty foods, wine, and cigarettes, it is better to take warm milk before going to bed. Milk contains tryptophan, which promotes the release of the sleep hormone serotonin
  • Tick off worries: Stop brooding over problems in bed. It is better to write down stressful thoughts before going to bed – this way they are first “ticked off” and can be “worked on” the next day in peace

Final Thoughts

Sleep can be a very underrated aspect of human life. However, getting enough sleep can be a real challenge for those who have trouble sleeping.

World Sleep Day aims to help people with sleep problems, educate people about the importance of sleep, and change the way we see and experience our sleep. These are ensured by providing people with valuable resources to help them in their daily lives.

World Sleep Day usually takes place on the third Friday in March. The date is not chosen by chance – it is exactly before the March equinox.

References

1.
World Sleep Day
World Sleep Day is an awareness activity of World Sleep Society, founded by World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and World Sleep Federation (WSF)
2.
World Sleep Society
World Sleep Society is a nonprofit, professional membership organization dedicated to advancing sleep health worldwide. To accomplish this mission, World Sleep Society manages a variety of programs that engage the global community of sleep physicians, researchers, and professionals as well the public.
3.
Drivers are Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel
According to the National Sleep Foundation, about half of U.S. adult drivers admit to consistently getting behind the wheel while feeling drowsy. About 20% admit to falling asleep behind the wheel at some point in the past year – with more than 40% admitting this has happened at least once in their driving careers.
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