What Makes a Good Night Sleep?
We got the chance to meet some the country’s sleep experts through a gathering hosted by Uratex and the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine for “World Sleep Day“!
With the ever-increasing fast-paced urban lifestyle and concerns we experience daily, getting a good night sleep is now harder than ever.
Juggling our tasks from work and family, to activities with friends and our own “me” time, sleep time decreases and suffers. Nonetheless, we can’t forego of the fact that sleep is very important.
Sleep Tips: From Jetlags to Being a Night Owl
Aside from the regular 7-8 hours necessary sleep time for adults, did you know that getting an appropriate amount of rest has a number of benefits including improved memory function, a stronger immune system, better concentration, and even weight loss.
On the other hand, losing an hour of sleep from the recommended number of hours significantly reduces an individual’s ability to function at their maximum capacity.
People generally spend 1/3 of their lives sleeping. Moreover, it is an activity considered to be just as important as following a healthy diet and exercise. On the other hand, trivia shows that humans are also the only mammal that willingly delays sleep.
True enough, getting proper zzz’s is something most of us often take for granted. A shocking worldwide statistic has ranked the Philippines as the 5th country with the worst sleepers, with individuals getting an average of only 6 hours and 22 minutes of sleep.
Sleep deprivation in the country affects about 50 million Filipinos, making the problem a national issue.
Night Owls: The Circadian Rhythm
Regular loss of proper sleep can lead to circadian rhythm disorders. The circadian rhythm is a term that refers to a person’s internal body clock that regulates the 24-hour cycle of biological processes.
It’s the body’s very own timer that triggers the body’s natural sleep and wake cycle. For adults, a dip in energy commonly occurs in the middle of the night and after lunch time. Noticeable big dips on this routine commonly means that an individual is sleep-deprived and is not getting enough rest.
Circadian rhythm disorders happen when there is a mismatch on the internal body clock due to the continuous disruption of sleep patterns. One of the most common disorder falling in this category is delayed sleep, which causes a person to feel tired at a later time than the usual. Individuals with this kind of disorder are the night owls, or those who feel more productive, alert, and creative late at night.
This may also come in a form of delayed sleep due to long air travel; also commonly known as “jet-lag”
The opposite of this is advanced sleep phase disorder which is characterized by regular early bedtimes (6PM to 9PM), a habit that is very common among the elderly.
In the Philippines, however, one very common sleep problem is shift work disorder caused by irregular sleeping patterns from night shifts; specially in the business processing outsource (BPO) industry. The disorder arises when the circadian rhythm cannot properly adjust to changing sleep patterns. Shift work disorder can often lead to problems like excessive sleepiness and insomnia.
But what makes a good sleep? According to the World Association of Sleep Medicine, there are a number of ways one can do to improve their sleeping patterns.
Check out some of this Sleep Tips:
- Refraining from using your bed for regular activities (e.g. eating, working, etc.)
- Avoiding intake of caffeine six hours before bedtime.
- Eating a light meal for dinner.
- Limiting naps to not more than 45 minutes.
- Creating a comfortable sleeping environment (using the right mattress and bedding, keeping the room dark and well-ventilated).
With sleep deprivation being a real concern in the country, several big names in the industry have jumped into action to help solve the problem.
World Sleep Day on March 16
Among the leaders in the pack are The Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM) comprised of physicians and sleep doctors, and the World Sleep Society, an association of sleep specialists focused on advancing sleep health worldwide by encouraging education and promoting sleep-focused research.
Partnering with them is Uratex, the Sleep Specialist and leading manufacturer of innovative sleep solutions. The company has been focused in creating quality sleep innovations like specialized mattresses and pillows that can help improve an individual’s rest.
These names have been proactive in furthering sleep education and awareness in the country. This month, they are coming together once more for World Sleep Day, an annual event that celebrates sleep importance and tackles issues like better sleep education. Organized by the World Sleep Day Committee, the event is celebrated today – March 16 and will feature talks on better prevention and management of sleep disorders.
Get updated with life and style from Blogger Manila through email subscription here. Like ourFacebook Page, Twitter @BloggerManila, and onInstagram.
Thanks to organizations and thought leaders such as PSSM and Uratex who proactively forwards the advocacy of sleep importance! With proper education and the support of these action takers in the industry, the country is taking a progressive step towards achieving proper sleep for health and quality living!
Related Posts
-
Beauty & Wellness: Join BEAUTY CON 2024 at SMX Manila!
March 20 to 23, 2024 promises to be the most important dates for all
-
‘Barangay Singko’: TV5 Introduces Innovative Home-Grown Game Show w/ Sitcom Flair in Primetime Block
TV5 continues to elevate the Filipino TV experience as they introduce new flavors and
About Author
Jon
Jonel Uy is the EIC of BloggerManila.com. Graduating from UP Diliman with a degree in Computer Science, he is also the Managing Director of #DigitalCircles.asia engaging and amplifying social media campaigns for brands. On Mondays, he teaches information technology classes at Grace Christian College. Know more about him at JonelUy.com