World Sleep Day

World Sleep Day is an annual observance introduced by the World Sleep Society (WSS) aimed at promoting awareness about the importance of quality sleep and the hazardous implications of sleep disorders. This globally recognised occasion encourages sleep-related discussions and events focused on explaining the significant physical and mental health benefits of maintaining a good sleep schedule. Notably, the event seeks to bridge the gap between medicine and society by shedding light on scientific research and findings concerning the importance of sleep and the risk factors of poor sleep habits, spanning engagement periods within academic, clinical, and public realms.

Historically, World Sleep Day has been extensively endorsed across the European Union (EU). The EU acknowledges sleep's vital role in overall health maintenance and productivity levels, and as such pays particular attention to this observance. In 2017, the European Parliament even compiled a report titled: “Effect of the internal market on sleep disorders”. Evidently, the World Sleep Day observance in the EU promotes the exchange of information about sleep-related research findings and promotes awareness of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, insomnia and the societal burden they carry.

Now routinely observed on the Friday before the northern hemisphere’s vernal equinox, World Sleep Day holds an array of events across the EU. Typically, these include public lectures, discussions, displays in public places, and press releases promoting good sleep hygiene. In certain years, EU-wide campaigns were initiated to promote awareness, such as the "Wake Up Call" campaign addressing sleep apnea. Evidence of growing attentiveness towards the observance lays in these united efforts to underline the health benefits of good sleep and the toll excess tiredness has on society - all in pursuit of promoting healthy sleep habits.