Discussants:

Chandra Jackson (United States), Rupsha Singh (Nepal), Hamza Dhafar (Saudi Arabia)
Note: presentation by Chandra Jackson was withdrawn from the recording.

Summary

Most people across the globe identify as either religious or spiritual. Both religion and spirituality influence various aspects of daily life, including stress regulation, social support, and behavioral routines, all of which are closely linked to sleep health. Yet, studies investigating their influence on sleep health are surprisingly sparse. Of the few studies that exist, practices such as prayer, meditation, and participation in faith-based communities have been associated with positive sleep outcomes, such as adequate sleep duration, improved sleep quality, and reduced sleep disturbances. These associations may operate through mechanisms such as the reduction of psychological distress and discouragement of substance use. However, the already understudied influence of religion and/or spirituality on sleep is not uniformly positive. Strict religious expectations or conflicts within faith communities may increase stress, while feelings of guilt or anxiety related to religious doctrine may exacerbate psychological distress and disrupt sleep health. Different religions and spiritual practices may also uniquely shape sleep behaviors. Rituals such as prayer and evening meditations may foster relaxation and consistent routines, while others, like fasting periods, night vigils, or early morning worship, may disrupt sleep patterns. Therefore, there is a need for a balanced examination of the potential positive and negative aspects of religion as well as spirituality and their impact on sleep health.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this CME activity, participants will be able to:
 • Identify established and potential pathways linking religion and spirituality to sleep health
• Describe the key findings from existing scientific evidence that connect religion/spirituality to sleep health and identify existing gaps in the scientific literature
• Illustrate how sleep has been discussed in Christian, Hindu, Islamic, and Jewish  faith, traditions, and/or practices

The following topics will be considered during this discussion group:
• What are the key pathways (e.g., biological, psychological, social, behavioral, environmental) through which religion and spirituality may influence sleep?
• Do specific religious or spiritual practices (e.g., prayer; meditation) impact sleep health either positively or negatively?
• How do different religious and spiritual traditions (e.g., Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism) view and incorporate sleep in their respective teachings and practices?
• What are the key methodological challenges to address when studying religion/spirituality and sleep in a scientifically rigorous manner?
• What literature gaps exist regarding religion/spirituality in relation to sleep health?

Note.