The Importance of Sleep in the Marching Arts
World Sleep Day is organized by the World Sleep Society yearly, the Friday before the northern hemisphere spring equinox. The goal is to bring awareness to the effects of sleep issues on medical and social problems. We want to reflect upon the importance of sleep as a relevant issue in the marching arts and why.
Quality sleep is necessary for brain functioning, immunity, muscle growth, reflexes, productivity, focus, learning, memory, mood, and normative development for youth. (1) Sleep is the charging time necessary for that growth and restoration to happen. Without good sleep, people may be at greater risk for accidents, breathing problems, hormone imbalance, illnesses; and further down the line, more chronic issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. (1)
The CDC defines quality sleep as “uninterrupted and refreshing” (2). Thus, if someone is unable to stay asleep and/or does not feel rested after sleeping, then that is a sign they are not recharging the way they need to for optimal functioning.
The topic of sleep is hugely important for the marching arts. Regardless of where in the activity, youth can benefit from education on the importance of sleep and how to have better sleep hygiene. Adolescents and college students may be likely to skimp on hours of sleep.
However, staff in all circuits also have a responsibility to set students up for success by ensuring they get the best sleep possible. It can be tempting to assume members can find a way to sleep while traveling by bus or etc., but the quality of sleep also contributes to daily functioning. If not for the sake of your students’ well-being (which needs to be #1), consider what needs to happen for them to perform with optimal focus, memory, strength, and energy.
Most touring ensembles utilize bus seats as a form of makeshift beds for their performers. While common, it is generally understood as very uncomfortable as a long-term sleeping solution. Most members look forward to “floor-time,” where they can lay down fully, typically on a gym floor.
In December 2023, at 26, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. This answered many questions about my general functioning that I’d had for several years, like why I was still so exhausted and struggling to focus and keep up with life, even with treatment for a thyroid disorder, ADHD, and mental health challenges. Untreated sleep apnea can put a lot of stress on the heart, increase blood pressure, spike blood sugar levels, and contribute to stroke risk. (3) The change that sleep apnea treatment (for me, the use of a CPAP machine) has brought to my life has been like night-and-day. This was a huge deal to me because not being able to engage fully in life took a repeated toll on me, and I never knew poor sleep was such a big reason for it. My sleep apnea experience is one reason why I think one’s sleep can make a world of difference for someone’s well-being and performance.
Alexandra Sanford (née Rathmann)
MAASIN Board of Directors Secretary, Member of the Disability Caucus
Alex Sanford (she/her), an Erie, Pennsylvania native, resides in Pittsburgh and works as a child and adolescent trauma psychotherapist. She marched with Jersey Surf in 2016 and 2018 on trumpet and has been a member of MAASIN since Fall of 2022.
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