We spend a third of our lives sleeping! Time wasted according to some, but yet the evidence of the importance of sleep, in sufficient quantity and of satisfactory quality, is increasing with the progress of neuroscience. Each year, a national day is dedicated to sleep, March 17, 2023 for this year. The opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of sleep and to fight once morest some old misconceptions.
National Sleep Day 2023: mental health and beliefs in the spotlight
Each year, the National Institute of Sleep and Vigilance organizes the national sleep day. For the year 2023, the theme chosen is mental health and beliefs around sleep. Sleep is, along with diet and physical activity, one of the pillars of health. Advances in neuroscience researchers continue to show that too little or too much sleep, or poor quality sleep, are important factors in both the prevention and management of many health problems and diseases. chronicles.
The past few years have been deeply marked by the unprecedented health crisis linked to Covid-19. This crisis has caused a deterioration in the mental health of the French, especially young people. Epidemiological studies reveal a correlation between sleep disorders and the occurrence of depressive and/or anxious symptoms. Sleep therefore plays a key role in mental health. Moreover, sleep is disturbed in a number of psychiatric illnesses, either by the illness itself or by its consequences.
The four characteristics of good sleep
And sleep isn’t just essential for mental health, it also plays a role in metabolic disease and a host of chronic conditions. On National Sleep Day, celebrated each year in March, it is important to remember that our sleep is essential for our physical and mental well-being. But what are our real sleep needs? And what is quality sleep? Many French people are poorly informed regarding these essential questions. For example, some believe that sleeping longer on the weekends is enough to compensate for a lack of sleep during the week, others that it is inconsequential to fall asleep at a different time each day.
Gradually, studies specify characteristics of good sleep :
- Sleep both enough but not too much: for an adult, the right amount of sleep would be between 7 and 8 hours and sleeping too much can also be harmful;
- Sleep on a regular basis, i.e. go to bed every day at a regular time;
- Sleeping at night: our brain and body are programmed to sleep at night and be awake during the day. Sleeping during the day does not compensate for the lack of sleep at night! ;
- Sleep with quality sleep, without difficulty falling asleep or waking up at night.
Sleep, a real public health issue?
Sources of stress and anxiety can greatly affect the quality of sleep, as well as exposure to screens in the evening and at the start of the night. And sleep medications don’t always restore enough quality sleep. Support from a professional may be necessary. Talking to your doctor or pharmacist regarding your sleep problems can make it possible to understand where the problem comes from and to be directed if necessary to a specialized sleep care structure.
If the human organism is programmed to sleep for a third of its existence, this proves the importance of sleep on health. Lack of sleep or having poor quality sleep can cause multiple disorders and health problems, sometimes serious : weight gain, diabetes, increased pain, depression, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disorders, road or occupational accidents, social isolation, etc. It is up to everyone to take care of their sleep and therefore their health every day!
Published on March 11, 2020 by Alexana A. Updated by Estelle B, Doctor of Pharmacy, on March 15, 2023.
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