KINGSTON, Jamaica – There is a need for adequate rest, as it contributes to the general well-being of an individual, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton.

Speaking virtually at a World Sleep Day forum, held Friday, the Minister said that lack of sleep has “unfortunate manifestations” for many who believe that it is good to work for long hours, without the necessary sleep time.

Dr Tufton said this will impact you negatively and you could get ill, adding that you could also end up with mental challenges.

“You get more out of work and out of effort by ensuring that you set aside time for rest and for sleep. It is a balancing act that has to be focused more on the rest component, as opposed to what society tends to do, which focuses on the work component,” the Minister added.

He pointed out that the Ministry has been giving extra focus on wellness, which is a holistic approach to good health, with rest and sleep critical for a person’s longevity.

“Sleep is necessary as part of our rejuvenation; it is necessary for our mental health, and for building our resistance to afflictions, like non-communicable diseases. It is necessary to manage stress, and it is important for the overall wellbeing of a person,” the Minister said.

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, including medicine, education and other social aspects, such as driving, business productivity and relationships.

The observance is organised by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society and aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders.

The forum was organised by iSD Health Solutions, which was formed in 2011, upon the discovery of the alarming rates of diabetes and obesity in one of the Caribbean islands. It provides awareness, consumer education, screening, diagnostic sleep testing and sleep disorder treatments to the region and is dedicated to helping people who live with the problems of undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea.

-JIS