World Sleep Day

World Sleep Day History

World Sleep is designed to bring attention to the importance of healthy sleep and its impact on health and quality of life. Originally established by the World Sleep Society, it serves as a platform for engaging conversations about sleep disorders, the role of sleep in overall wellbeing, and the steps needed for promoting better sleep health worldwide. It underscores the significance of addressing sleep-related issues, offering solutions to prevent and manage sleep disorders and aims to reduce the burdens that these issues cause to society.

The inception of World Sleep Day was in 2008 when the World Sleep Society, formerly World Association of Sleep Medicine, decided to devote a day to educate the public about the value of good sleep. Canada has a vested interest in this event as sleep disorders and poor sleep hygiene are widespread among Canadians. According to the Canadian Sleep Society, approximately 30% of adults in Canada have a sleep disorder, with insomnia, sleep apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders being the most common. World Sleep Day serves as a much-needed reminder for Canadians to prioritize their sleep health and encourages them to consult professionals for managing sleep disorders.

In Canada, World Sleep Day is commemorated by promoting awareness about sleep hygiene and the clinical implications of sleep disorders through several initiatives. These include public campaigns, informative sessions, interactive seminars, organizing sleep studies, and offering practical strategies for improving sleep quality. Educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers all partake in these activities to foster a better understanding of sleep’s role in health among Canadians. World Sleep Day is typically observed annually on the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox in March in Canada like the rest of the world.

Facts about World Sleep Day

• The slogan for World Sleep Day in 2023 was Sleep is Essential for Health.
• Reports by the CDC show that adults aged 18-64 who sleep less than 7 hours per night are more likely to report chronic health conditions such as depression, arthritis, and asthma, compared to those who sleep more than 7 hours.
• A study conducted by the Public Health Agency of Canada found that 55% of women and 43% of men aged 18 to 64 have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep.
• Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and insomnia, affect approximately 40% of Canadians at some point in their lives, according to Statistics Canada.

In the News and Trending in Canada for World Sleep Day

Top things to do in Canada for World Sleep Day

• Get better sleep! Some healthy sleep habits are: establishing a regular sleep and wake schedule, eliminating disturbances, and getting an adequate amount of sleep each night.
• Browse activites for World Sleep Day by country.
• Read a book to learn more about the importance of sleep:
  The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time - by Arianna Huffington. Although not directly aimed at sleep in Canada, it provides useful insights about the importance of sleep, backed by scientific research.
  The Promise of Sleep: A Pioneer in Sleep Medicine Explores the Vital Connection Between Health, Happiness, and a Good Night's Sleep - by William C. Dement and Christopher Vaughan. This book explores sleep's impact on overall health and well-being and can be applied universally, including Canada.
• Attend Sleep Education Events: Some medical facilities, like sleep clinics or hospitals may hold educational forums or workshops to inform the public about the importance of good sleep and how to achieve it.