Abstract
A high percentage of people worldwide complain of sleep disturbances; however, the vast majority do not meet the diagnostic criteria for insomnia or other classic sleep disorders. Therefore, the ‘classical’ concept ofpoor sleepremains undetected, and patients stay ignored and unidentified. Also,poor sleephas been strongly associated with increased daytime function impairment, morbidity and mortality and is considered a risk factor for developing mental disorders.Poor sleepis the individual experience of insufficient restorative sleep and/or sleep satisfaction in adults who do not fulfil the criteria for sleep disorders. This article provides a review on the impact ofpoor sleepon a healthy life within the multidimensional concept of sleep health, including the COVID-19-affected period. We propose a wide definition ofpoor sleepand the key characteristics ofpoor sleepersand tools for (self) detection. We discuss sleep assessment methods that combine the ability to capture the subjective perception of the sleep experience and measure objective sleep parameters. We then report selected strategies to improve sleep health, focusing on healthy sleep habits, cognitive behavioural therapy, diet, exercise, food supplements and other sleep aids. Considering the current megalopolis way of life, young people are following a 24/24 hours 7 days/week rhythm of life, with increased exposure to noise and light pollution, night-shift work, higher commute time, increased global temperature and overuse of smartphones and screens. Therefore, there is an urgent need for increasing awareness ofpoor sleepand stimulating educational efforts targeted atpoor sleepersand primary care specialists.