Staying Up Late to Watch Sanremo Festival Can Have Negative Health Effects, Warns Sleep Expert
The Sanremo Festival, a popular Italian singing competition, has captivated late-night TV viewers for years. However, a sleep expert warns that staying up late to watch every last broadcast of the festival can have negative consequences on heart and brain health.
Luigi Ferini-Strambi, head of the Sleep Medicine Center of the Irccs San Raffaele hospital in Milan and professor of Neurology at the Faculty of Psychology of the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, cautions that those who stay up late to watch the festival could experience irritability, aggression, and decreased cognitive function.
“Continuous sleep deprivation for 4-5 days negatively affects cognitive functions,” Professor Ferini-Strambi explains. “Performance at school and in the office decreases, and attention, concentration, and memory pay the price.”
The sleep expert also warns that individuals with high blood pressure are at risk of experiencing pressure changes if they deprive themselves of restful sleep to watch the festival. Additionally, diabetics may struggle to control their condition if they do not get enough sleep.
While some may consider using melatonin supplements to address sleep deprivation, Professor Ferini-Strambi dismisses this idea, stating that “the use of melatonin does not effectively solve the problem” of lost sleep.
Fortunately, the Sanremo Festival is a short-lived event, lasting only 5 days. However, Professor Ferini-Strambi emphasizes that if the festival were to last longer, it could lead to “serious public health problems” from a cognitive and cardiovascular perspective.
As fans eagerly anticipate the next Sanremo Festival, it’s important to heed the warnings of sleep experts and prioritize restful sleep for overall health and well-being.