The Buzzword is Sleep Stewardship
Sleep is a basic biological need for every human, yet many people struggle to find the time and resources for restorative sleep. This is where sleep stewardship can help. Sleep stewardship is the concerted or conscious effort to ensure relaxed and restorative sleep by optimizing all aspects of sleep. This includes pre-sleep, intra-sleep, and post sleep environments and ambience. It also includes the opportunity to have sufficient sleep.
Sleep stewardship is both an individual and societal responsibility. Everyone including policy makers, physicians, family, and individuals has a role to play.
Governments can:
- Pass noise and light pollution regulations
- Adjustment daylight savings time
Local communities can:
- Avoid late events with loud music
- Offer public campaigns about healthy sleep habits and substance abuse awareness
- Establish sleep centers to assist the local population
Individuals can:
- Follow basic rules of sleep hygiene to encourage quality sleep
- Get screened for sleep disorders if you suspect something is not right
- Seek proper medical intervention with your healthcare provider if necessary
*Reference Sleep Stewardship, by Sanjay Kalra 1, Madhur Verma 2, Viny Kantroo 3, Nitin Kapoor 4; Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, PMID: 39828847