Why is healthy sleep important?
Healthy sleep is defined as the ability to fall asleep at an appropriate time, stay asleep, and wake up after a specific duration feeling energized and refreshed. Healthy sleep helps to support our immune system, cognitive functioning, mental health, and overall well-being. It can also reduce the risk of developing new or worsening symptoms of certain health conditions, such as Type 1 Diabetes, eczema, chronic pain, and mental illnesses. In Canada, approximately 20 – 30% of children will experience sleep disruptions that will later develop in a sleep disorder. Certain groups within the pediatric population are more prone to sleep disorders than others. For example, approximately 80% of neurodiverse children will develop sleep problems and/or a disorder. Given these rates, it is important that sleep health is being promoted across Canada, especially in geographical areas with limited resources for pediatric sleep, such as the Maritimes.
What do we do (or research)?
Traditionally, sleep research has focused on the etiology and treatment of sleep problems and disorders. Despite the concept of promoting sleep health is relatively new in the field of sleep research. We are interested in conducting research that can be implemented into resources and the delivery of care for children, families, and healthcare providers in Nova Scotia. We want to create accessible evidence-based resources about healthy sleep practices. Also, we want to promote sleep health in environments where sleep has been shown to be impacted, such as in hospitals, and work towards translating our work into standards of practice that optimize sleep health. Groups that are more prone to sleep disruptions and disorders will be considered in our work, such as children with Type 1 Diabetes and neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Sleep for Health Team
