Friday, March 18, 2016 is World Sleep Day 2016 and it will be celebrated all over the globe. World Sleep Day (WSD) is an annual event that calls to action important issues related to sleep using collaborative efforts energized by sleep professionals all over the world. It is organized by World Sleep Society, an international association whose mission is to advance sleep health worldwide. The focus of WSD is to bring cognizance to the many burdens of sleep problems. WSD publicly displays efforts being taken toward prevention and management of sleep disorders.
This year’s theme, “Good Sleep is a Reachable Dream,” is purposefully broad in meaning surrounding the message that sleep maladies can be ameliorated, but recognition has to come first, emphasizing the importance of overall health and well-being. Most sleep disorders are preventable or treatable, yet less than one-third of sufferers seek professional help. This year’s slogan encompasses both adult and pediatric themes, as well as topics of insomnia and hypersomnia, parasomnias, and circadian dysrhythmias.
Delegates from around the world spread sleep issue awareness locally by hosting special events including public lectures and workshops, appear on local television and radio shows, create and distribute booklets, pamphlets, promotional videos, and press releases on sleep. Delegates have also hosted interactive school events for children and their parents and translate WSD material into foreign languages.
EL Salvador will be featuring Antonio Culebras, MD, co-chair of WSD, presenting on a variety of programs focused on launching sleep medicine in Central America. Culebras’ topic of speech includes sleep apneas, sleep habits, and World Sleep Day 2016.
Westin Hotels and Resorts have become a supporter of WSD because ensuring a good night’s sleep for their guests around the world is their #1 priority. In collaboration with World Sleep Day, Westin properties throughout Asia Pacific have lined up activities to reinforce the importance of sleep to guests and consumers. Westin has committed to partner in guests’ well-being before, during, and after each stay. Sleeping well is a key pillar to health.
World Sleep Society and the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) have collaborated to launch a sleep directory aiming to globally connect healthcare professionals and patients in their search for sleep experts. This joint project is currently enrolling healthcare providers at sleepdirectory.org. According to Diego Garcia-Borreguero, MD, PhD, President of the IRLSSG, “the directory will enhance collaboration among RLS researchers and clinicians providing a communication platform for broad networking between professionals and the public worldwide.”
Additionally, Portugal, for the fourth year in a row, will coordinate a sleep day symposium, “From Early Signs to Dangerous Times” hosted by Soerad Hospital featuring the Portuguese Society of Hypertension.
Other activities from around the world can be viewed online. Get involved and submit your activity at http://worldsleepday.org/submit-your-activity.
World Sleep Society has developed 10 specific recommendations on how to obtain a healthy restorative sleep. Simple recommendations include watching what you eat and drink, exercising, and limiting activities before bedtime. These recommendations for children and adults can be viewed online www.worldsleepday.org/resources.
The first WSD was held on March 14th 2008, under the slogan “Sleep Well, Live Fully Awake” and has continued to grow steadily since. World Sleep Day is held on the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox. The WSD slogans and dates are:
- “Sleep Well, Live Fully Awake” – March 14, 2008
- “Drive Alert, Arrive Safe” – March 20, 2009 featured 49 separate articles mentioning WSD.
- “Sleep Well, Stay Healthy” – March 19, 2010 increased growth of international coverage.
- “Sleep Well, Grow Healthy” – March 18, 2011 emphasized promotion of quality sleep for all ages.
- “Breathe Easily, Sleep Well” – March 16, 2012
- “Good Sleep, Healthy Aging” – March 15, 2013
- “Restful Sleep, Easy Breathing, Healthy Body” – March 14, 2014
- “When Sleep is Sound, Health and Happiness Abound” – March 13, 2015
- “Good Sleep is a Reachable Dream” – March 18, 2016
- March 17, 2017 with slogan to be determined
Sponsors of 2016 World Sleep Day include Westin Hotels and Resorts, JellyCoe, and Sleep Radio.
