The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in three adults in the United States does not get the recommended amount of sleep regularly. Over time, insufficient sleep has been linked to a range of health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression, and impaired cognitive function, making sleep a critical factor in overall well-being.
BAPS Charities hosted a women’s health awareness lecture titled “Sleep Smarter, Live Better” in Columbus, OH, on January 18, 2026, to highlight the importance of healthy sleep habits. Dr. Alpa V. Patel discussed how inadequate sleep leads to “sleep debt,” which can accumulate and affect physical, mental, and emotional health. Attendees also learned about age-specific sleep needs along with common signs of poor sleep such as daytime fatigue, mood changes, difficulty concentrating, and frequent illness.
The lecture concluded with practical strategies to improve sleep hygiene and encouraged treating sleep as a core part of health, noting that better rest supports not only daily functioning but also emotional balance, family life, and spiritual well-being.
