This year World Sleep Day, themed ‘Sleep Equity for Global Health’, is observed on March 15. Getting enough sleep plays an important role in your weight, emotional well-being, blood pressure, diabetes, mental and physical performance, and more.
One of the major challenges nowadays is battling sleep deprivation. An adult requires at least 7-9 hours of sleep.
Insomnia and sleep deprivation are related but different. Insomnia is the inability to sleep when you try, while sleep deprivation occurs when you don't allow yourself enough time to sleep or don't get sufficient sleep.
Sleep deprivation negatively impacts heart health, immunity, metabolism, nervous system, brain, and mental health in the long term.
Daytime sleepiness, fatigue, headaches, irritability, and focus issues can disrupt your work and routine. Severe cases may lead to microsleeps, reckless behaviour, and hallucinations.
Good sleep hygiene can improve sleep quality, but factors like ageing, stress, and recreational drugs also influence sleep.
To maintain good sleep hygiene, avoid screens before bed, minimize noise and light, skip daytime naps, and limit caffeine and nicotine intake. Seek medical help if sleep deprivation persists.