Sleep expert Joanna MacLean, says sleep deprivation is an alarming trend with real-world impacts.
For many Canadians, sleep deprivation has become a way of life. Late nights and early mornings are commonplace for millions in Canada as they ignore their body's promptings telling them when they need to sleep.
For sleep expert Joanna MacLean, it is an alarming trend with real-world impacts.
"I don't think we see sleep as being important to our health," said MacLean, a University of Alberta associate professor of pediatrics and medical director for the Sleep Lab at the Stollery Children's Hospital. "In North America, there is almost a competition in terms of how little we sleep―people brag about only needing four or five hours of sleep a night to function. But there's good data to say that degree of sleep deprivation is unhealthy and associated with neurocognitive impairments such as poor choice making."
According to MacLean, one in every three people do not get the right amount of sleep. But improving sleep may be the number one thing people can do to boost their health and the health of their family. It is an active process of restoration and resetting for the body and by prioritizing sleep, it will greatly reduce a person's risk of developing many chronic diseases.
"Getting too little sleep is linked to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia, and maybe even cancer," said MacLean. "Aside from that, there are other proven benefits. For example, people who are well rested are rated as more attractive by others. It's also been shown that professional sports teams that focus on improving the sleep of their athletes win more games."
While sleep is something many take for granted throughout their lives, MacLean says it is one of the pillars for good health and cannot be ignored. She will take part in the Festival of Health at the University of Alberta on May 25 to share even more insights on the need for a good night's sleep.
Festival of Health
Register here for your free ticket
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
North Campus, University of Alberta
Booths and Children's Activities Area
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learning Session and Tours Block 1
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Barbecue and Entertainment
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Rapid-Fire Presentations and Ask The Experts: Q & A Session
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Learning Sessions and Tours Block 2
3 - 4 p.m.
More information available at uab.ca/healthfest.