According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1 in 3 adults in the United States report that they are not getting enough sleep every day. Beyond that, around 40% of adults say that they fall asleep without meaning to, at least one time per month.
Sleep is important not only for the sake of staying awake all day at work, but also for a number of health reasons! Sleeptember is here to draw attention to the issues of sleep and help people to overcome them and live happier, healthier lives every single day!
History of Sleeptember
Sleeptember got its start in 2013 as a month-long event when it was introduced by The Sleep Council in the UK. Taking place from September 1-30, this is an excellent time to focus on practicing sleep hygiene, considering their mattress and bed needs, learning more about sleep disorders, and ultimately working toward getting more zzz’s.
Each year, Sleeptember is celebrated to raise awareness and encourage individuals and families to consider how to get a good night of sleep, and why it is so important.
How to Celebrate Sleeptember
Take care and pay more attention to the need for adequate sleep by celebrating Sleeptember with some of these plans and activities:
Go Dark for Sleeptember
One of the campaigns initiated by the folks behind Sleeptember is for people to turn off their lights and electronic devices at least 15-30 minutes earlier than normal in order to fall asleep sooner. Blue light filter glasses can also be helpful if a person needs to be using electronic devices in the evening. Even just an additional 15 minutes of sleep can allow a person to feel much more well rested and refreshed in the morning!
Learn Facts About Sleep
Get involved with Sleeptember and share the passion for sleep with others by learning some facts and passing them on. Whether sharing with coworkers in person or posting on social media, Sleeptember is an ideal time to get people thinking about and more informed regarding sleep.
Check out some of these sleep facts to get started with:
The normal time to fall asleep after getting into bed is 10-20. If it takes a person less than 5 minutes to fall asleep, they are probably sleep deprived and exhausted.
Bright screens and blue lights can affect the circadian rhythms, tricking your body into thinking it should be awake.
Sleep deprivation will kill you more quickly than being deprived of food.
Those people who are deprived of sleep have lower thresholds of pain tolerance.
Get Informed About Sleep Apnea
Between 10% and 35% of the general population may be impacted by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is a sleep disorder related to breathing problems. Sleep apnea is more common in men than in women and is particularly prevalent in those who are obese. It is important that sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated as it could even increase a person’s risk of sudden death, and Sleeptember is a great time to consider talking to a doctor about symptoms.
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