WAKE UP TO THE TRUTHS ABOUT SLEEPING

World Sleep Day is celebrated on the Friday before the March equinox, which this year was March 14, with the theme “Make Sleep A Priority.”

- MYLENE MENDOZA-DAYRIT

Many people, especially the young ones, believe they can get by with as little sleep as possible. They are unaware that poor and insufficient sleep negatively impacts almost all aspects of our mental and physical health. Experts say that sleep is as important as nutrition and exercise!

Established in 2008 by the World Sleep Society (formerly known as the World Association of Sleep Medicine), World Sleep Day aims to promote the importance of sufficient and good-quality sleep. “Decades of research show that healthy sleep is directly related to your overall mental, physical, and emotional health,” they explained on their website www.worldsleepday.org.

“The goal is to celebrate the benefits of good and healthy sleep and to draw society’s attention to the burden of sleep problems and their medical, educational, and social aspects, and to promote the prevention and management of sleep disorders,” they expounded.

Dr. Lourdes DelRosso, co-chair of World Sleep Day, said, “Waking up feeling fully rested is one of the greatest sensations in the world. Imagine how energizing that feels — your mind refreshed, your body recharged, and your resilience stronger than ever. Prioritizing your sleep health is the key to maintaining that energy and thriving every day!”

Co-chair Dr. Fang Han added, “The scientific evidence is clear that sleep is essential to your health, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to make sleep health a priority. Start to think about sleep as an everyday habit — just like your physical activity and diet. How will you prepare for sleep tonight? How do you feel during the day? Simple everyday reflections like this are the first step to prioritizing your sleep health. Start today!”