Good Sleep — A key to better health
Who doesn’t like to tuck in to your bed for a good sleep?To me sleep is like a favourite hobby.I won’t miss any chance of going into sleep.We ,the whole family are sleep lovers.
World sleep day is held the Friday before spring Vernal Equinox of each year. Vernal Equinox refers to two moments in the year when the sun is exactly above the equator, day and night are of equal length,also either of the two points in the sky where the ecliptic (Sun’s annual pathway)and the celestial equator intersect.
This year March 19th is designed as International sleep day. World sleep day is observed to raise the awareness of sleep as a human privilege ,which is often compromised by the habits of modern life. The slogan for the 14th annual sleep day is “REGULAR SLEEP ,HEALTHY FUTURE"
The goal of this sleep day is to create awareness ,educate and advocate the world about the importance of sleep for achieving quality of life and thus improve global health.
The process of sleep:We need to understand the two processes that regulate both the timing and duration of sleep: Circadian rhythm and homeostatic control are known as the two-process model of sleep. Although many other factors affect sleep, such as environment, stress, and medications; understanding these two processes will help us strive towards a consistent sleep schedule. Circadian rhythm refers to our internal clock, regulated by a part of our brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. This clock regulates and controls the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle via the influence of light and melatonin. In the absence of light (as during the evening hours), melatonin is produced promoting sleep but in the presence of light, the production of melatonin ceases, signaling our brain that is daytime and we need to wake up. Our behavior can override these natural signals. For instance, bright lights at night shut down the production of melatonin, delaying sleep until late hours of the night.
Poor sleep results in cognitive impairment and poor mental health. In children, improper sleep results in inadequate brain function which inturn results in poor scholastic and co scholastic performance.
As an Irish proverb says a “good laugh and long sleep are the two best cures for anything”.Lets sleep more and be more active and energetic for the next accomplishment.
