World Sleep Day 2023 is celebrated on March 17 to raise awareness about the importance of getting enough sleep and to bring to light various sleep-related issues. However, one of the most serious sleep-related issues, insomnia, is largely unknown. In an increasingly stressful environment, an increasing number of people have reported difficulty falling asleep. Because sleep deprivation can have an impact on one’s diet, productivity at work, and overall health, it is critical to begin prioritizing sleep.
Lifestyles in today’s era have become increasingly hectic as a result of factors such as long working hours and increased commuting time. However, in order to maintain consistency in performance, the importance of getting enough sleep has increased in recent years, increasing the significance of initiatives such as World Sleep Day.
According to the World Sleep Society, “World Sleep Day is an opportunity to promote sleep health alongside thousands of other sleep health professionals and advocates. When we all promote sleep health and #WorldSleepDay together, our combined effort is greater than the sum of its parts. Spread the word about sleep health on World Sleep Day, and help elevate the conversation around sleep.”
The theme for this year’s Sleep Day is ‘Sleep is Essential for Health’. According to the World Sleep Society, the theme aims to emphasize that, just as eating well and exercising are important for good health, getting enough sleep is essential for one’s physical, mental, and social well-being.
So, here are some effective methods for overcoming insomnia and achieving restful nights:
Lifestyle change: Lifestyle changes, such as improving dietary practices, practicing good sleep hygiene, avoiding stimulants, developing daily routines, and exercising regularly, have been shown to improve health and the sleep cycle.
Address psychological factors: In order to effectively manage insomnia, it is critical to address underlying psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression, which can frequently disrupt your sleep cycle.
Behavioral medicinal practices: Behavioral medicine strategies such as breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness, as well as herbal remedies such as L-theanine, GABA, passionflower, and adaptogens such as ashwagandha, are beneficial for treating insomnia.
Acupuncture: This alternative medicine treatment has been shown to effectively treat insomnia by targeting specific points on the body. This can result in the release of opioid peptides, which can cause sedation and analgesic effects.
Avoid stimulants and alcohol: Avoid alcohol as well as sleep-interfering stimulants such as coffee and nicotine. Caffeine’s stimulating effects can last up to 24 hours, making it difficult to sleep and causing frequent awakenings. While alcohol may have a sedative effect at first, it can cause sleep disruption later in the night.