Slogan: \u201cRegular Sleep, Healthy Future\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s focus is based on the benefits that regular sleep offers. Regular sleepers have better mood, psychomotor performance and academic achievement.<\/p>\n
Besides the environment, stress and medication that affect sleep, there are two processes that regulate both the timing and the length of sleep.<\/p>\n
Process C (The Circadian Regulation Process)<\/strong>: It is when our internal clock is regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. This clock regulates and controls the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle via the influence of light and melatonin, a hormone primarily released by the pineal gland at night (a.k.a. nature\u2019s sleeping pill). In the absence<\/em> of light, melatonin is produced promoting sleep. In the presence<\/em> of light, the production of melatonin ceases, signalling our brain that it is daytime and we need to wake up. Our behaviour can override these natural signals. For example, bright lights at night shut down the production of melatonin, delaying sleep until late night hours.<\/p>\n