Delegate: Miguel Meira e Cruz, DDS, MSc, PhD – Centro Europeu do Sono (European Sleep Center), Lisbon, Portugal
Delegate Short Bio: Prof. Miguel Meira e Cruz is a Portuguese clinician and researcher dedicated to sleep medicine, chronobiology, and dental sleep medicine. He is Director of the Sleep Unit at the Cardiovascular Center of the University of Lisbon and Clinical Director of the European Sleep Center (Centro Europeu do Sono). His work focuses on the interaction between sleep disorders, circadian biology, and cardiometabolic health. He is actively involved in international education, research, and public outreach initiatives aimed at improving sleep awareness and promoting sleep health across different populations.
Scope of Activity: Campaign of multiple activities
Activity: 1. Publication of the Book “The Other Side of Sleep”
As part of the World Sleep Day initiative, the book “The Other Side of Sleep” (O Outro Lado do Sono), written by Miguel Meira e Cruz, and edited by Oficina da Escrita, will be released. The book explores dimensions of sleep that are rarely addressed in conventional medical texts.
Rather than focusing exclusively on the clinical aspects of sleep disorders, the book offers a broader and more human perspective on sleep, exploring its connections with physiology, culture, emotions, creativity, and everyday life. Through this unusual approach, the book invites readers to reflect on sleep not only as a biological necessity but also as a profound human experience.
The book includes prefaces written by internationally recognized experts in sleep medicine and neuroscience, reinforcing its scientific credibility while maintaining an accessible narrative for the general public. The goal is to bridge scientific knowledge with a broader cultural understanding of sleep, making complex concepts approachable and meaningful for readers outside the medical field.
These activities aim to promote sleep awareness in the general community through educational and cultural initiatives associated with World Sleep Day. By combining science communication, literature, and pedagogical tools for children and adults, the initiative seeks to increase public understanding of sleep as a fundamental biological process essential for health, wellbeing, and human development.
2. Publication of the Educational Children’s Book “The Long Journey of Penugem” (A Longa Viagem de Penugem).
Another activity associated with World Sleep Day is the publication of the children’s book The Long Journey of Penugem, written by Miguel Meira e Cruz and Henrique Santos.
This educational book is designed for children and their caregivers and aims to introduce fundamental concepts related to biological rhythms and the importance of sleep in a simple and engaging way. Through the story of Penugem and its journey, young readers are guided to understand how rhythms in nature influence our daily lives, our health, and our ability to grow, learn, and interact with the world and its rhythms .
The book functions as a pedagogical tool that can be used both at home and in schools. It encourages conversations between children, parents, and educators about sleep and circadian rhythms, helping to build early awareness of healthy sleep habits. By promoting sleep education in childhood, the initiative seeks to address a biological topic that is fundamental to human health yet often overlooked in traditional educational settings.
3. Public Engagement and Educational Activities
Within the context of these publications, the projects also expand into a series of scientific, educational, and interactive conferences and public events. These initiatives are designed to translate scientific knowledge into accessible formats for different audiences, including healthcare professionals, educators, families, and the general public.
Through lectures, educational sessions, and playful learning experiences, these activities aim to improve public literacy about biological rhythms and sleep. By fostering dialogue between science and society, the initiative contributes to a broader understanding of sleep as a central pillar of health and human performance.
Location: Lisbon
Date of Activity: From March, 13
