World Sleep Day 2023: When is World Sleep Day? Know the date, theme, history and significance

World Sleep Day 2023: World Sleep Day falls on March 17. It raises awareness about issues related to sleep. Read this day's history, theme, and significance.

Updated on: Mar 17, 2023, 08:27:32 IST

By Krishna Priya Pallavi, Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

World Sleep Day is an annual event organised by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society, formerly the World Association of Sleep Medicine, since 2008. The day aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders. The day also raises awareness about the significance of getting appropriate hours of sleep and issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects and driving. The day falls on the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox of each year or the third Friday of March.

When is World Sleep Day? Find out all about the date, theme, history and significance of the day. (Pexels)

(Also Read | Statins may lower heart disease in people with sleep apnea: Study)

World Sleep Day 2023 Date:

According to World Sleep Society - a non-profit organisation that aims to promote sleep health worldwide - World Sleep Day falls on Friday, March 17, 2023.

World Sleep Day 2023 Theme:

This year, the theme for World Sleep Day is 'Sleep is Essential for Health'. It emphasises the importance of sleep for maintaining good health.

World Sleep Day 2023 Significance and History:

Just like eating well and exercising, sleep is also important in maintaining one's physical, mental, and social well-being. However, many people don't consider it an essential step for good health. World Sleep Day aims to prove them wrong and promote sleep health worldwide. It emphasises getting the right amount of sleep, increases awareness of the value of having healthy sleeping patterns, and how it affects our general health and well-being.

Meanwhile, since its inception in 2008, World Sleep Day has been commemorated on the Friday before the northern hemisphere's spring equinox. A group of dedicated healthcare providers and members of the medical community working and studying in the area of sleep medicine and research started the annual awareness event. The first co-chairs of World Sleep Day were Liborio Parrino, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at Parma University, Italy and Antonio Culebras, MD, Professor of Neurology at Upstate Medical University.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Krishna Pallavi Priya
Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News, Merry Christmas 2025 on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.