World Sleep Day
World Sleep Day, taking place on Friday 17 March 2023, is an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role sleep plays in maintaining our physical and mental health. We’re marking the day with a programme of in person and online activities to promote the importance of sleep, explore the difficulties many of us may experience with disrupted sleep, and share some tips and techniques on how to sleep better.
Whether you’re experiencing sleep issues or would simply like to learn new ways to improve your sleep quality and habits, all staff and students are welcome. Join us for the whole day or pick and choose which activities interest you by visiting our Eventbrite webpage to register your attendance.
Event programme
09:45 – 10:00 Welcome
Patrick Craig | Head of Health and Wellbeing | Wellbeing, Safety and Health Service
Online session: An introduction to the day and an overview of the support services available at the University.
10:00 – 11:00 Sleep well seminar: sleep education and training
Emma Cook | Director | Purely Balanced
Online session: This interactive presentation will help you understand what sleep is, why we need it and best of all, how to do it better. Using science-backed strategies, Emma will explore:
- The 5-point switch off routine which can help the body and mind enter a deeper sleep state, improving the quality of our sleep
- How to defeat the midday lull
- How to wake up smarter
- Areas that can be distruptive to sleep, and
- How to help change them
11:15 – 11:45 How does physical activity impact sleep?
Lucy Alderman | Exercise Referral Instructor | Sport and Physical Activity
In person session: Learn more about how regular, moderate exercise can help you feel more alert during the day and sleep better at night.
11:50 – 12:20 Full body movement session
Lucy Alderman | Exercise Referral Instructor | Sport and Physical Activity
In person session: Join us for a low-intensity activity session and discover some gentle exercises to try at home. No gym kit required!
12:45 – 13:15 The importance of sleep on mental health and wellbeing
Dr Sally Rose | Staff Counselling and Psychological Support Service Manager
In person session: This session explores the relationship between sleep and mental health and the impact poor sleep can have on our wellbeing and cognitive functioning.
13:15 – 13:45 Relaxation, mindfulness and sleep
Dr Sally Rose | Staff Counselling and Psychological Support Service Manager
In person session: Discover a range of mindfulness techniques and practices that can help clear and prepare your mind for drifting off to sleep.
13:45 – 14:15 Relaxing yoga
Panna Asher | Occupational Health Service
In person session: Gentle yoga practices for all levels, designed to help you wind down and feel a sense of calmness.
14:30 – 15:00 You are how you sleep
Professor Eleanor Scott | School of Medicine
Online session: Professor Scott discusses sleep and its relationship to our health, exploring how prolonged disruption to our 24 hour wake/sleep cycle can increase our risk to a number of physical health issues.
Book your place
Visit our Eventbrite webpage to register your attendance.
Venue details/Teams seminars
In person sessions will take place in the LOGIK Centre which is located at 5-7 Lifton Place. View the LOGIK Centre on the Campus Map or find it on Google Maps. The main entrance can be found on University Road but is accessible from Lifton Place via the footpath to the left of the building.
Online meeting links to join our virtual sessions will be circulated to attendees following registration.
Further information and support
Visit our Sleep webpage for further information and details of the support services available at the University of Leeds.