Do you know that today is World Sleep Day? First question is, did you have a good sleep last night? We all know the benefits and the importance of sleep in our lives. But are we all informed that seven up to eight hours of sleep is a must for us to be properly recharged?
With an appropriate amount of rest, we will have a boosted immune system, improved memory function, better concentration not to mention weight loss. However, even you just loss 1 hour of sleep from the recommended number of hours, it is positive that the individual’s ability to function is reduced from their maximum capacity.
We being humans generally spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping. Moreover, it is an activity considered to be just as important as following a healthy diet and exercise. On the other hand, trivia shows that humans are also the only mammal that willingly delays sleep — I agree to this because previously, I really thought that I have an insomnia but I was wrong but rather it is a delayed sleep phase syndrome. I discovered this just recently during Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine Gained extra knowledge on how to have better sleep solutions from the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine and URATEX PHILIPPINES in celebration of the upcoming World Sleep Day.
Regular loss of proper sleep can lead to circadian rhythm disorders. The circadian rhythm is a term that refers to a person’s internal body clock that regulates the 24-hour cycle of biological processes. It’s the body’s very own timer that triggers the body’s natural sleep and wake cycle. For adults, a dip in energy commonly occurs in the middle of the night and after lunch time. Noticeable big dips on this routine commonly means that an individual is sleep-deprived and is not getting enough rest.
Circadian rhythm disorders happen when there is a mismatch on the internal body clock due to the continuous disruption of sleep patterns. One of the most common disorder falling in this category is delayed sleep, which causes a person to feel tired at a later time than the usual. Individuals with this kind of disorder are the night owls, or those who feel more productive, alert, and creative late at night.
The opposite of this is advanced sleep phase disorder which is characterized by regular early bedtimes (6PM to 9PM), a habit that is very common among the elderly. In the Philippines, however, one very common sleep problem is shift work disorder caused by irregular sleeping patterns from night shifts. Common among business processing outsource (call center) employees, the disorder arises when the circadian rhythm cannot properly adjust to changing sleep patterns. Shift work disorder can often lead to problems like excessive sleepiness and insomnia.
What makes a good sleep?
According to the World Association of Sleep Medicine, there are a number of ways one can do to improve their sleeping patterns. The following are tips you can follow:
1. Refraining from using your bed for regular activities (e.g. eating, working, etc.)
2. Avoiding intake of caffeine six hours before bedtime.
3. Eating a light meal for dinner.
4. Limiting naps to not more than 45 minutes.
5. Creating a comfortable sleeping environment (using the right mattress and bedding, keeping the room dark and well-ventilated).
With sleep deprivation being a real concern in the country, several big names in the industry have jumped into action to help solve the problem. Among the leaders in the pack are The Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM) comprised of physicians and sleep doctors, and the World Sleep Society, an association of sleep specialists focused on advancing sleep health worldwide by encouraging education and promoting sleep-focused research. Partnering with them is Uratex, The Sleep Specialist, the leading manufacturer of innovative sleep solutions. The company has been focused in creating quality sleep innovations like specialized mattresses and pillows that can help improve an individual’s rest.
These names have been proactive in furthering sleep education and awareness in the country. This month, they are coming together once more for World Sleep Day, an annual event that celebrates sleep importance and tackles issues like better sleep education. Organized by the World Sleep Day Committee, the event will be held today, March 16 and will feature talks on better prevention and management of sleep disorders.
Sleep deprivation should be considered a major national issue that should be swiftly addressed. With proper education and the support of thought leaders and action takers in the industry, the country is taking a progressive step towards achieving proper zzz’s.
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