World Sleep Foundation Announces World Sleep Month, March 2015

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World Sleep Month focuses on a global sleeplessness epidemic. It is observed annually in March, and is spearheaded by the World Sleep Foundation. World Sleep Month promotes sleep education and the Foundation's Sleep Well Live Well campaign around the globe.


The World Sleep Foundation is pleased to announce World Sleep Month 2015, created to focus on the global sleeplessness epidemic, and observed annually in March. Spearheaded by the World Sleep Foundation, World Sleep Month promotes sleep education and the Foundation’s Sleep Well Live Well campaign around the globe.


The sleeplessness epidemic was noted in a recent study supported by the World Health Organization and funded by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, USA, and by the Wellcome Trust, UK. The study showed that levels of sleep problems in the developing world are approaching those seen in developed nations and are linked to an increase in problems such as depression and anxiety. Sleeplessness affects an estimated 150 million people in the developing world, the study says.


Australian sleep doctor, Dr David Cunnington, speaking on the Current Affair TV program about the sleeplessness epidemic, said, “Once sleep problems have developed, they can gain momentum and continue on.”


Alan Gray, World Sleep Foundation Director of Sleep in Australia said, “People all over the world are suffering from changed sleep patterns due to the changes in their lifestyle, their work and external pressures. A good night’s sleep allows our body and our mind to recover from the pressures we put them under during waking hours due to our busy lives. Most people do not understand how important sleep is to their well-being and their performance.”


Sleep Well Live Well


“‘Sleep Well, Live Well’ is not only our motto, it is the way sleep works. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live in the world, you need to get the right kind and the right amount of sleep. If you are healthy, you can skimp on sleep for a short period, but if you overdo it, your body will take actions you won’t like. So that is why we say ‘Sleep Well, Live Well'” said Gray.


“The World Sleep Foundation thanks the World Health Organization for investigating the sleeplessness epidemic which affects people throughout the world because it has brought a much-needed global spotlight to the problem of disrupted sleep patterns which we have been working to change,” said Sally Dunn, an inter-continental light sleeper.


For Sleep Month 2015, World Sleep Foundation is stepping up its education campaign, reaching more people all over the world, contacting and working with more sleep product manufacturers, holding competitions, connecting on Twitter @worldsleeps, using the hashtag #SleepMonth and encouraging everyone to “Sleep Well, Live Well.”


About World Sleep Foundation


Founded by professionals afflicted with sleep disorders, the World Sleep Foundation and its “Sleep Well Live Well Blog,” which features sleep news and sleep tips, provides information and educational resources about the latest clinical advances, and management and treatment options for a wide variety of sleep issues. World Sleep Foundation, believing that knowledge of issues related to sleep is crucial to all individuals, offers the online resources in convenient, easy-to-read formats for patients, medical professionals and the general public.


The World Sleep Foundation is dedicated to education, research, diagnosis, treatment and continuing education of sleep disorders to the international community.


For more information about World Sleep Foundation, please visit the website or follow us on Twitter @worldsleeps


Release ID: 76083