In order to remind just how important sleep is and to celebrate it, Gulf Medical University celebrated World Sleep Day with great enthusiasm on March 17, 2023, which was organized by the College of Health sciences and Thumbay University Hospital’s Department of the Pulmonology and Department of Neurology. The annual event organized by World Sleep Day Committee of World Sleep Society (founded by WASM and WSF), seeks to bring forth important issues related to sleep, and this year’s event was market with the slogan ‘Sleep is essential for health’ that aimed to raise awareness about getting adequate and quality sleep for maintaining good health and well-being in the overall community.
Highlighting the significance of sleep, Dr. Vivek Karan, Consultant Neurologist, Thumbay University Hospital, said, “With the mad rush to meet deadlines and the need to work round-the-clock, not getting enough sleep or being sleep deprived has become a regular phenomenon, especially sleep deprivation among youngsters and adults is increasing alarmingly, which can be the leading cause of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure or stroke.” He further emphasized the importance of sleep for physical and mental health, and discussed the prevalence and consequences of sleep disorders in the UAE and around the world.
The event also featured activities such as interactive sessions and workshops by students and staff of Gulf Medical University to address topics such as: why creating healthy balance of body and mind is one of the cornerstones for one’s overall sense of well-being and achieving a restorative sleep is an imperative part of the equation. Sleep is the top-most priority for a well-balanced lifestyle and through proper nourishment, daily movement and mindfulness activities, sustaining a regular good night’s rest is attainable.
Overall, the observance of World Sleep Day at Gulf Medical University was to educates people about the significance of sleep, and lessen the burden of sleep disorders on society through better prevention and management of sleep problems, thus promoting health and wellness in the UAE and beyond.
