World Sleep Day (WSD) is annually observed across the globe on the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox to raise awareness about the significance of sleep and promote the management and prevention of sleep disorders.
WSD 2024, the 17th annual World Sleep Day, was observed on 15th March 2024.
- WSD 2023 was observed on 17 March 2023. WSD 2025 will be observed on 14 March 2025.
The theme and slogan for the 2024 World Sleep Day is, “Sleep Equity for Global Health“.
- WSD is annually organised by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society (WSS).
Note:
i.The March equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn/fall in the Southern Hemisphere.
ii.In 2024, the The Spring Vernal Equinox (March equinox) is set to happen on 19th or 20th March 2024.
Background:
i.WSD is an awareness activity of WSS, an international organisation founded by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and the World Sleep Federation (WSF).
- In 2016, WSF and WASM collaborated to found WSS, whose fundamental mission is to advance sleep health worldwide.
ii.WSD was established by a dedicated consortium of healthcare professionals and experts in the field of sleep medicine and research.
iii.The 1st WSD was held on 14 March 2008 under the slogan “Sleep Well, Live Fully Awake.”
Note: The goal of the 1st WSD was to gather sleep healthcare providers to discuss and distribute sleep information around the world.
Significance: The specific date is chosen to coordinate with the equinox, marking the significance of a regular and balanced sleep pattern similar to the balanced day and night during the equinox.
Importance of Sleep:
i.Good sleep improves brain performance, mood, and health. It supports growth and development in children and teens.
ii.Sleep helps maintain cognitive skills, such as attention, learning, and memory.
iii.Experts recommend that adults sleep between 7 and 9 hours per night on a regular schedule.
iv.Sleeping less than 7 hours a night is associated with adverse health outcomes, including:
- Weight gain and obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart disease and stroke
- Depression, etc.
