DURBAN - While World Sleep Day doesn’t warrant the public to pitch up to work in their pyjama’s, it does emphasise the importance of sleep, and the disorders related to a lack of a good period of shuteye.
World Sleep Day is an annual event to raise awareness about the importance of sleep and issues around sleep disorders. Picture: World Sleep Day Committee.
The annual event is organised by the World Sleep Society, which aims to address the issues related to sleep disorders. The Sleep Foundation found that adults require between seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep, which is beneficial to their health.
Adults require between seven and nine hours of sleep per day. Picture: Sleep Foundation
While some sleep disorders need professional medical attention, often those having trouble sleeping may need a few ‘life hacks’, similar to the five below, according to the Sleep Foundation.
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POWER DOWN
- The soft blue glow from a cell phone, tablet, or digital clock on your bedside table may disturb your sleep. Unplug yourself from your TV, computer and other electronics and hour before bed time, and cover and displays your can’t shut off. This will help you fall into a more peaceful deep sleep.
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2. HAVE A ROUTINE
- Try to sleep and wake up around similar times each day, so your body becomes adapted to a sleep pattern. Relax with a calming hobby an hour before bed such as reading a book, and minimise naps during the day so you can have a longer period of sleep at night
- 3. BE COMFY
- You’re most likely to have the best sleep cycle when you’re feeling comfortable. Have a bath before bed, and make sure your bed and surroundings are comfortable, so you feel at peace.
- 4. SLEEP IN BED
- Avoid eating, or working while on your bed. That way, your mind subconsciously understands that the bed is a place of relaxation. Try not to doze off on the couch, your sleep cycle would most likely be disturbed.
- 5. HEALTHY FOOD AND EXERCISE
- Eating wholesome meals, drinking plenty of water and regular exercise will help your body feel energised and able to cope through the day which will in turn assist help normalise your sleep cycle and minimize the use of a snooze button.
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