Sleep and circadian rhythm in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
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SPECIAL SECTION ON COVID-19: COMMENTARY
Sleep and circadian rhythm in response to the COVID-19 pandemic Charles M. Morin 1,2 Circadian Network
&
Julie Carrier 3,4 & Célyne Bastien 1,2 & Roger Godbout 3,5 & On behalf of the Canadian Sleep and
Received: 1 June 2020 / Accepted: 1 July 2020 # The Canadian Public Health Association 2020
Abstract This commentary highlights the critical role of sleep as a public health issue, particularly during a stressful life period such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides evidence-based practical guidelines to manage sleep disturbances during this crisis. The COVID19 pandemic and the imposed social confinement have produced significant stress, anxiety, and worries about health and the fear of being infected, jobs and financial problems, and uncertainty about the future. The incidence of sleep disturbances has also increased dramatically during this period. Aside from stress and anxiety, two other factors are likely to contribute to increased sleep disturbances during this crisis. First, alterations of our daily routines such as arising at a specific time, showing up at work, eating, exercising, and engaging in social and leisure activities at relatively fixed times are all important timekeepers for our sleep-wake cycles to remain synchronized with the day (light) and night (dark) cycles. Alterations of these timekeepers, combined with reduced daylight exposure, also essential to keep our biological clock synchronized, are likely to disrupt sleep and circadian rhythms. Sleep plays a fundamental role for mental and physical health, and adequate sleep duration and quality are essential for coping with major life events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health education is warranted to keep the population well informed about the importance of sleep and healthy sleep practices in order to cope with the pandemic and prevent or minimize long-term adverse outcomes. Résumé Cet article discute de l’importance du sommeil dans un contexte de santé publique, particulièrement en période de crise sanitaire comme celle de la COVID-19, et offre quelques recommandations pratiques et appuyées de données probantes pour gérer les difficultés de sommeil durant cette pandémie. La COVID-19 et l’isolement imposé pendant la pandémie ont produit stress, anxiété et inquiétudes en lien avec la santé et la peur d’être infecté du virus, la perte d’emploi et problèmes financiers, et l’incertitude quant au futur. L’incidence des difficultés de sommeil a également augmenté de manière exponentielle durant cette crise. Outre le stress et l’anxiété causés par la pandémie, au moins deux autres facteurs contribuent à exacerber les problèmes de sommeil. Premièrement, plusieurs routines quotidiennes ont été altérées, notamment celles de se lever à la même heure chaque matin, de se présenter au travail, de manger, s’entraîner, avoir des contacts sociaux et pratiquer des loisirs à des heures relativement fixes; ces activités représentent des marqueurs de temps qui synchronisent nos cycles de veille-sommeil avec les
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