Have you heard of Sleeptember? No? Not many have.
A recent poll showed as little as 4% of people have heard of Sleeptember, but given the importance of sleep, this is an awareness month that we can no longer allow to slip under the radar.
So, what is Sleeptember?
Sleeptember is a month dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of sleep, with this year’s focus being Health and Safety, and it is more crucial now than ever. Much like how discussions around menopause have evolved to become more open and supportive, it’s time to shine a light on sleep issues that affect millions of people. By focusing on sleep, we can improve overall health, reduce the burden on mental health services, and even save lives. Here’s why and how we should celebrate Sleeptember.
Why We Need Sleeptember
Public Health Crisis: Sleep is essential for survival, yet 1 in 3 people struggle with it. Poor sleep is costing the UK economy an estimated £50 billion a year, and 43% of people are sleep-deprived. This is not just a health issue but an economic one.
Safety Concerns: Sleep deprivation leads to dangerous situations. 1 in 8 drivers have admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, and up to 40% of fatal road traffic accidents involve a drowsy driver. Additionally, 20% of work-related accidents are thought to be fatigue-related. Sadly, and shockingly, it is thought that the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl was triggered by poor decision making by sleep deprived operatives.
Mental Health: Sleep deprivation has a significant impact on mental health. Insomnia can make individuals 10 to 17 times more likely to experience clinically significant levels of depression and anxiety. With the cost of living affecting sleep and mental health, it’s critical to address this issue now.
Workplace Performance and Gender Equality: Poor sleep affects workplace performance, contributing to higher anxiety, depression, and burnout. Women, especially returning mothers, face unique challenges. Many fear being seen as incapable and report higher levels of unpaid work compared to their male counterparts.
How to Celebrate Sleeptember
Raise Awareness: Host workshops and seminars to educate people about the importance of sleep. Share facts and figures that highlight the public health crisis caused by poor sleep.
Promote Sleep-Friendly Workplace Policies:
• Flexibility: Encourage more flexible working hours and remote/hybrid work options.
• Supportive Culture: Foster an understanding and supportive workplace culture.
• Manageable Workloads: Ensure workloads are sensible to prevent burnout.
• Parental Support: Offer tailored support for parents, including better support when returning to work after maternity/paternity leave.
Community Engagement: Engage with local communities to support sleep health. Organise community activities like sleep hygiene workshops, meditation sessions, and relaxation techniques.
Advocate for Policy Change: Work with policymakers to push for legislation that supports sleep health, such as mandatory breaks for workers, limits on overtime, cut off time for sending emails of an evening, and better support for new parents.
Utilise Social Media: Launch a social media campaign to spread the word about Sleeptember. Use hashtags like #Sleeptember, #SleepAwareness, and #BetterSleep to engage a wider audience.
Partner with Healthcare Providers: Collaborate with healthcare providers to offer sleep assessments and treatments. Provide resources and referrals for those struggling with sleep issues. Support and educate team leaders and managers to spot the signs of poor sleep and provide them with the skills to have necessary conversations.
Benefits of Celebrating Sleeptember
• Improved Public Health: Better sleep leads to improved mental and physical health, reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
• Enhanced Safety: Reducing sleep-related accidents on the road and in the workplace.
• Economic Benefits: Improved worker productivity and reduced economic losses due to sleep deprivation.
• Gender Equality: Supporting women in the workplace and addressing the unique challenges faced by returning mothers.
By celebrating Sleeptember, we can make sleep a priority and work towards a healthier, safer, and more equitable society. Let’s make sleep the wellbeing topic of 2025 and beyond.