What is National Sleep Awareness Week & How You Should Celebrate

National Sleep Awareness week is held annually in Australia, and this year will fall between March 14-20, 2021. Be sure to mark this week in your calendars as an important and meaningful way and help improve your overall health and others’ by educating yourself on the importance of sleep.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about National Sleep Awareness Week and how you should celebrate it.

What is National Sleep Awareness Week?

National Sleep Awareness Week is a campaign by the National Sleep Foundation that aims to advocate the importance of sleep. It is held to highlight the significance of sleep health and the impact sleep can have on our overall health and well-being as well as its role in aiding our ability to achieve our personal, family and professional goals. It encourages everyone to assess their sleep habits and improve them if need be.

National Sleep Awareness Week coincides with World Sleep Day which is held on the 19th of March. These days both aim to raise awareness about sleep and it’s importance on an individual’s overall health.

Why is it Important to Celebrate?

Sleep plays an important role in our overall physical and wellbeing, yet millions of people don’t get enough of it. They may not realise it, but this can be severely damaging their health. Sleep Awareness Week aims to shed light on this and encourage people to make a conscious effort to improve their sleep habits and ultimately improve their health.

Sleep has a number of benefits including that it improves your productivity, strengthens your heart, boosts your immune system, helps prevent weight gain as well as improving sports performance for athletes. It is important to celebrate this day to spread awareness and educate those around you about sleep and its importance.

2021 Theme: “Regular Sleep, Healthy Future”

The 2021 campaign theme is: “Regular sleep, Healthy future”. This theme advocates and highlights the need of sleep as a key pillar to improve your overall health in the future alongside exercise and nutrition.

People often consider exercise and a good diet to be the main factors in improving one’s health with sleep often overlooked. This year’s theme aims to bust this myth and bring to the forefront the importance of sleep in your overall health. Without adequate sleep, you cannot achieve optimal health.

How Should you Celebrate?

When it comes to celebrating National Sleep Awareness Week, there isn’t one way for you to do it. Here are a few suggestions we have for you to make this day meaningful:

Spread awareness on social media: These days, we are all connected with each other via our social media accounts. Whether it’s someone you haven’t spoken to in years, a work colleague, or even your closest friends, chances are you have them on social media. Use this opportunity and take time out of your day to spread the word about National Sleep Awareness Week. Post an Instagram story of sleep statistics, share a Facebook post about the importance of sleep, it’s up to you but make sure you spread awareness.
Challenge your friends to a sleep competition: If you own an apple watch, Fitbit or any other smart watch, it has the ability to track your sleep. Why not track your sleep for a week and compare it with your friends. This is a great way to assess how much sleep you are all getting. It may also highlight those that aren’t getting enough sleep and encourage them to get some more.
Conduct some research into sleep and its importance: Take control of your own health this Sleep Awareness Week and conduct your own research into sleep and its importance for your health and wellbeing. You can watch a YouTube video, read a blog or read a book, there are so many ways you can educate yourself and understand the importance of sleep for your body.
Purchase a new mattress: This World Sleep Awareness Week, there has never been a better time for you to improve your sleep and purchase a new mattress for yourself. A good mattress will gently support your whole body and provide adequate back support to give you a comfortable night’s sleep, night after night. Take the leap and do what’s best for you. If you have an old mattress that needs replacing, consider a memory foam mattress from Ergoflex.

How Can you Get More Sleep?

Once you have understood the importance of sleep on your overall health, you may be looking for ways you can improve your sleep. Here are some tips to improve your sleep and ultimately your health:

Keep a regular sleep schedule: By going to bed and waking up at around the same time you are keeping your body’s circadian rhythm in sync which will help you fall asleep faster.
Read a book before you fall asleep: This is a great relaxing pre-sleep activity that prevents you from going on your phone. Phones emit a strong light which can prevent you from falling asleep.
Don’t eat late: Leave some time for your body to properly digest food before you sleep and schedule to eat well before you fall asleep.
Replace your mattress: Your mattress is one of the most important factors in determining how well you’ll sleep. An old mattress can cause sleep problems as well as aches and pains in your body. Be sure to check your mattress and update it if necessary.
Create a sleep haven: The psychological effect of a bedroom that encourages relaxation can greatly improve your sleep quality. Create a calming sleep haven to assist you to fall asleep faster.

For more tips on how to improve your sleep this National Sleep Awareness Week read our blog on the 50 basic sleep tips everyone should know!

Celebrate National Sleep Awareness Week & Improve your Health and Wellbeing

This National Sleep Awareness Week, improve your sleep and health. Whether you choose to spread awareness on your social media, join in a sleep competition or purchase a new mattress, make the most of the week! Remember, your sleep is pivotal to your overall health, so don’t undermine its importance.

What is National Sleep Awareness Week & How You Should Celebrate