Saturday, March 19, 2011

World Sleep Day

This is one of those stories that catch your attention because you're personally involved.  I'm writing this at 3:57am during another sleepless night of which there are far too many in my life.  A few hours of good sleep and then the frustration of tossing and turning and not being able to slow down your brain enough to get back to sleep.  The story says far too many of us are getting less than six hours of sleep each night.  Is it any wonder that we're stressed out.

This story is from the Canadian Sleep Society.  Click on the title to learn more about them.



The health of children and adults is at risk because we’re not getting enough sleep, says the international group of doctors behind the 4th annual World Sleep Day on March 18th.

The World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) says sleepiness and sleeplessness are threatening health and quality of life in countries around the globe, and that sleep problems can be prevented or treated. Improving sleep will improve the quality of life of millions of people.

Not only are adults struggling to cope with an epidemic of sleep disorders, but doctors are also observing alarming rates of sleepiness and sleeplessness in children. As many as 40 per cent of our children aren’t getting enough sleep, which is not only impairing their ability to function properly, it’s hurting their ability to learn. CLICK HERE FOR QUICK FACTS ON SLEEP IN CHILDREN.

Doctors suggest teenagers need about nine hours of sleep a night, and adults need at least eight. A recent Canadian poll found 35 per cent of youth aged 12 to 17, and 61 per cent of adults get less than eight hours of sleep a night. The poll showed an alarming 30 per cent of adults are getting fewer than six hours a night. CLICK HERE FOR QUICK FACTS ON SLEEP IN ADULTS.

World Sleep Day is designed to call attention to the global epidemic of sleepiness and sleeplessness, and build awareness that sleep disorders are preventable and treatable medical conditions.  The international annual event is also intended to be a celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, safety on the roads and in the workplace.

About the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM)

WASM is an international membership based organization comprised of healthcare professionals active in the field of sleep medicine.  It aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders. The fundamental mission of the WASM is to advance sleep health worldwide.

For more information about World Sleep Day visit: www.worldsleepday.org

6 comments:

Government Funded Blogger said...

" Sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care" ol Bill the Bard had it right

Wisewebwoman said...

I am so sorry to hear this, Veep. Mut be so very hard on you to be in sleep deprivation most of the time and still have to fully function in the real world.
I have much of the opposite: as my mother would say: I can sleep on a clothesline, just close my eyes and I'm out, most of the time. I have suffered insomnia from time to time but mostly because I was in worry or grief or wrestling with a dilemma.
I imagine you've tried all the usual remedies?
Complete darkness and no TV in the bedroom or before bedtime and meditation has worked for a friend of mine who has gone so far as to always wear a sleepmask and ear plugs.
XO
WWW

Unknown said...

I honestly think that as consumers we are suffering from "information overload".

Try tuning out and turning off the world . Believe it or not , there is life without technology .

About the only sure thing , is that it will still be there tomorrow , disaster and mayhem excepted .

ViewPoint2010 said...

GFB, I remember a friend who used to tell me that when he went to sleep, it was just like "pulling down the blind" on the day. I've often wished I could that but it sometimes seems that in sleep, I just more revved up until I awake and then it's too late to try to slow down the brain. Wish I had an off switch like Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation! :-)

ViewPoint2010 said...

WWW, the weekends are generally my catch-up time. I've evolved it to the point where Saturdays have over the years become my do-as-little-as-possible days because that's when I get some afternoon sleep time that seems to help with the deficit problem - never enough, but often almost. I truly envy people who can get quality REM sleep. Take care of ye.

ViewPoint2010 said...

Hi Ursula, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I agree that we are over-technologized. I used to regularly take a week off here and there during the year, where I would go on retreat to a cabin where there was no technology except for whatever I would bring with me and that didn't include internet or tv. I still try to do it for briefer time but it's always refreshing. Hope to see you pass this way again.