Festival of Sleep Day is a holiday that encourages everyone to catch up on their sleep. It is observed on January 3rd, which is the perfect time because it comes right after the busy holiday season. Although sleep isn’t as well understood as we would like, one thing is indisputable: being well-rested is extremely important. Lack of sleep not only leads to reduced productivity at work or during daily chores, but it is also associated with an increased risk of developing certain health conditions. That’s why it’s important to get enough sleep—not only on this day but throughout the year.

Fun Facts About Sleep

Most people don’t know much about how sleep works. All they know is that when they get tired, they need to sleep. That lack of knowledge is perfectly acceptable, however, because not even science knows a lot about sleep or why we need it. Fortunately, what science does know is easy to understand, so we decided to list those facts below. Thanks to the following facts, we can all have a better understanding of sleep and why we need it.

Not Everyone Needs the Same Amount of Sleep

Although 8 hours of sleep a day is usually recommended, not everyone needs to hit those 8 hours exactly. Adults between the ages of 18 and 64 may need more or less sleep depending on their physiology, and it’s recommended they get anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Adults over the age of 65 may only need 7 to 8 hours of sleep.

A Third of U.S. Adults Don’t Get Enough Sleep

One thing that most Americans probably know is that they’re not getting enough sleep. For working adults, 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night is recommended, but not everyone meets that mark. Approximately 35% of surveyed Americans have reported that they sleep for less than 7 hours a night.

Lack of Sleep Can Contribute to Poor Health

Lack of sleep is cited as a contributing factor in a number of serious medical conditions. This includes obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, increased risks of cancer, and depression. So, people should make sure that they’re getting plenty of sleep every night.

Observing Festival of Sleep Day

The ideal way to celebrate this holiday is to grab your favorite pillow, slip into your sleepwear, and climb into bed. Of course, not everyone can spend the day sleeping, so for those people, they can take a nap after work or just make sure they get a full 8 hours of sleep at the end of the day. Anyone observing this holiday should be sure to use the hashtag #FestivalOfSleepDay on their social media accounts to spread the word about it.