This year the World's Sleep Day theme is “Sleep,  Equity for Global Health”

 

In Skelmersdale Running Club we promote everyone's well being.  It is important for us that each of our lovely runners is relaxed, and has a good sleep before joining our runs or other events or just every day of life.

 

Sleep is essential to our health, however measurable differences in sleep health persist across the population across the world creating additional burden and reinforcing health inequities.

 

The NHS stated that nearly 1 in 3 of us suffer from poor sleep. The Mental Health Foundation suggests that 48% of adults in the UK agree that not sleeping well negatively affects their mental wellbeing. 

 

Quality sleep is essential to maintain good mental health and wellbeing as well as living a happy life. Sleep is a vital part of our mental and physical wellbeing, although opinions vary as to how much sleep we need, recommendation states that 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night is right for adults. 

 

Sleep helps to support memory and learning, it helps to clear waste from the brain and promote brain health, which then supports sleep. Sleep helps the immune system to clear bacteria and viruses and it recycles old cells. Good sleep maintains the body and energy levels.

 

Lack of sleep can affect many aspects of our physical and mental health. Poor sleep links to health issues such as diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease and cardiovascular mortality. Poor or lack of sleep will have an impact on immune responses creating higher chances of infection. Poor sleep will contribute to weight loss and a high risk of blood pressure. As well as physical health, lack of sleep will impact on mental health and wellbeing. Research suggests that poor sleep reduces the ability to manage our emotions, impact or impulse control, reduce positive thinking, increase worry, reduce reaction time, impair judgement and cognitive impairment. 

 

World Sleep Day is an event that builds connections and raises sleep health awareness. The benefits of sleep extend to both the individual and society. World Sleep Day gives us the time to reframe thinking about sleep and equity.

 

So why not to try and improve our sleep by, taking a moment and:

 

Think about your food and drink - try to avoid heavy meals, sugary and spicy food 4 hours before bed.

 

Relax and clear your mind by doing stretches or mindful meditation before bed to help relax your body and mind.

 

Try to improve your routine and make sleep a priority so you are well rested for your run the next day. Reduce or remove naps.

 

Increase exposure to natural light - natural light will have a positive impact on your mental health. 

 

And of course exercise - exercise is known to be one of the most effective ways to improve your sleep as exercise can relieve the tension built up over the day and relax your mind.