Today is World Sleep Day! Hosted by the World Sleep Society, 2022’s theme and slogan is “Quality Sleep, Sound Mind, Happy World” – because that’s just how important sleep is. You probably already know this though, if you think back to the last time you stayed up late and were extra tense the following day. Stay up late enough most days and you might just find your scale tipping over a little more bit by bit, day by day. Sleep, it seems, is the symptom, the problem, and also the cure for so many of our issues.
That last part was essentially a quote from Dr. Paul Rochon, founder of Beijing-based sleep clinic Engineering Sleep. He works with many international schools and businesses to lead knowledge and behavioral workshops for youth and adults alike.
For Dr. Rochon, it all started when a sports injury ended his professional rugby career and kickstarted his interest in biopsychology, the study of how your biology influences your psychology. He went on to get his Ph.D. in Cognitive Science and subsequently focused his work within the sleep medical network. We asked Dr. Rochon to share a few of his insights into the science of sleep, as well as his favorite tips to catch better ZZZs every night.
My son doesn’t want to go to bed, then has trouble waking up in the morning for school. What am I doing wrong?
The main thing here is consistency. I know you probably don’t want to hear this but you need a good bedtime routine to help you prime your body and mind to get ready for restorative sleep. We usually set up these routines for our kids but we forget them as adults. Also, you need to go to sleep and wake up at the same time, yes, even on the weekends.
So what does your bedtime routine like?
About an hour and a half, before I go to bed, I begin my routine by dimming the lights. I do the same thing in the same order every single day. The most important thing I do every night is to slow down my breath and visualize that before I go to sleep. Some things that are suitable for anyone’s bedtime routine include showering, reading, writing, listening to music, cleaning, talking, getting massages, pyjamas and socks… but all this must take place outside of the bedroom.
What’s the most common sleep problem you see at your clinic?
The most common problem is the misconception of how sleep works. People waking up in the middle of the night, asking “Why can’t I fall asleep when I go to bed earlier?” or “Why can I not sleep for eight hours?” That’s what I would say is the most common problem.
To help counter these misconceptions, Dr. Rochon is organizing a discussion, where he will answer your questions and provide quality information to help make our nights better. Scan the QR code above to register for the free event!
From the World Sleep Day website, “World Sleep Day is an annual event, intended to be a celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects, and driving. It is organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society and aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders. World Sleep Day is held the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox of each year.”
KEEP READING: Ya Don’t Snooze, Ya Do Lose: The Importance of Adequate Sleep
Images: Courtesy of Dr. Rochon, Unsplash
