World Sleep Day 2023: Take advantage of the fact that all humans are equal in the world of sleep!

Popularly, in the animal kingdom, all animals are equal but some are more equal than others. Similarly, all humans are equal, but some are more equal than others. A world of injustice and competition among humanity! To those who are disfavoured by inequality, it is annoying and steers in them the unending struggles to overcome the shackles of inequality. Whereas those who benefit from the lopsided handling of human affairs are happy that people know exactly how to value and treat persons of value. Whenever attention is shared, the superior persons are given priority with preferential treatment out of more regard. Apart from sex, age, race or tribe, and religion which are among the factors for discrimination, wealth, political positions and power are also considered differences. I recall that primitively humans’ survival depended on physical capacity from muscular strength for hunting, farming, building shelters, and waging wars against threats from territorial invasions and grabbing of properties. That is how we found ourselves in man domineering society. Again, the natural variations of abilities and capacities among the young, adults and the elderly offer inequality too. The social spaces of underdeveloped countries like ours are further flooded with regressive unfairness from abuses of power by some rich persons and societal leaders. While some political leaders misappropriate public funds neglecting the social services and infrastructure such as schools, healthcare, power and roads, etc.; many wealthy people evade taxes and duties meant for the public funds. Then, while the masses are wasting in the traffic jams caused by the neglected road system, the more privileged bulldoze their way using blasting sirens noise pollution and armed forces intimidation. They would also jump the queues and cumbersome protocols in hospitals, drain further the already shrunken human and material resources to get the best possible healthcare attention (needed inevitably before seeking treatment abroad) while the masses make do with the messy health system reaping the deadly consequences. What about the familiar discrimination at social events? The bulkiest refreshments are usually apportioned to the privileged rich and leaders who are most times already exempted from eating such by health advice and age limitations. The developed communities remarkably live out inequalities along the lines of racial and religious discrimination.

It sounds unhopeful but is not all hopeless! The rain of inequality challenges that soak our society is very resolvable by a collective response guided by the rule of law. This is why United Nation stated that the rule of law is the foundation of equity and fairness among members of society. It requires measures to ensure the supremacy of the law, equality before the law, accountability to the law, fairness in the application of the law, and the transparency of processes. UN further emphasized that “It is foundational to people’s access to public services, curbing corruption, restraining the abuse of power.”

While we await the paradise of rule of law to quench all forms of inequality, sleep allows us individually, a world of equality. Sleep is a state of rest where both the body and the brain slow down for re-gigging, quick fixes and recovery. The body goes inactive, the mind becomes unconscious and the person loses awareness of things and people in the surrounding, the good, the bad and the ugly. No room for differences from considerations of human possessions, positions and values, feelings of oppression, etc. Behold, this sleep world is an unshared self-space with no discrimination or competition. Let us optimize the quality of what the space contains, our sleep. Because, just like eating well and exercising, it is foundational to one’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Little wonder that the theme for World Sleep Day 2023 which was celebrated on 17^th March was “Sleep is Essential for Health.” By the way, 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.

Individual well-being is a personal agenda. So, as sleep offers well-being, we should pursue well-being with personal efforts, in that sleep world free of competition, by adopting good sleep habits. 

Let us remember that when you sleep, where you sleep and how you sleep affect your mental health, physical well-being and living a healthy life. We all need quality sleep to be set for productivity in our endeavours.

Do you need further information on the above subject? Are you looking for ways to maintain quality sleep for general well-being and healthy living? Remember, a doctor is an appropriate person to offer relevant advice for the maintenance of quality sleep and solution to sleep difficulties. Do you want to contact the Orthopaedic Sleep Consultant, Dr Charles Uzodimma, kindly send your request to sleepinfo@vitafoam.com.ng OR Whatsapp 08129982143.

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc is the first foam manufacturing company in Nigeria to partner with a Sleep Expert in educating Nigerians on Quality Sleep for Healthy Living. They are truly passionate about quality sleep, healthy living and the general well-being of Nigerians. Vitafoam is proudly Nigerian and constantly supports Nigerians with consistent quality products for comfort and well-being. With Vitafoam, you don’t just sleep, they give you the comfort that gets you recharged. To learn more about Vitafoam, visit www.vitafoamng.com