National Sleepy Head Day

Anamika Balouria
Dec 22, 2023 By Anamika Balouria
Originally Published on Feb 04, 2022
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Where is National Sleepy Head Day celebrated?

The day is celebrated in Finland and is also a folk festival.

Who is National Sleepy Head Day celebrated by?

The people of Finland celebrate the day by throwing water on the lazy, sleepy ones.

When did National Sleepy Head Day first start?

National Sleepy Head Day has been around since the Middle Ages.

Who started National Sleepy Head Day?

The Catholic Church and the people of Finland started this day.

National Sleepy Head Day might make you wake up by a bucket of water in Finland.

History And Timeline

Here is a fun sleep-related timeline for you!

Seven Sleepers

The seven Christian Saints of Ephesus slept in a cave to save themselves and are believed to have slept for 200 years.

250 AD

Longest Hypnotic Sleep Record

Peter Powers slept for almost eight days (covered by the European media), setting a world record.

1959

Longest Time Without Sleep

Randy Gardener (17) set a world record by staying awake for 11 entire days.

1964

Record For Loudest Snore

Kare Walkert (Sweden) suffered from a breathing disorder and set the record while in a hospital.

1993

The Largest Sleepover

Girlguiding UK hosted the sleepover, attended by 1626 people.

2008

Traditions And Customs

The tradition of celebrating the day is more of a fun activity.

The last person sleeping in a family is woken up by someone by either throwing a bucket of water on them or throwing them in the sea.

The ritual has been followed since the Middle Ages, with the story of the Christian saints. The Christians of Finland celebrate the event annually. 

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate National Sleepy Head Day

You can throw a bucket of water on the last sleeping family member. Getting up a little late may also cause the person to be thrown in the seawater. So, if you are in Finland on this event, you must set your alarm.

You can spend the rest of the day learning about its legends and stories.

Facts And Stats

  • National Napping Day is celebrated in the USA on March 14 every year. This day is quite different from National Sleepy Head Day in Finland, but sometimes people get confused between them.
  • The day has been celebrated in Finland since the Middle Ages when the Ephesus saints slept in a cave for 200 years to save themselves from the Roman Emperor Decius.
  • In Naantali, each year, a celebrity from Finland is thrown into the port at around 7 a.m.
  • Even the city's government officials are thrown into the city's port so that they can be woken up from laziness. The people are selected based on their best contribution to the country and are kept secret until that morning.

What is the significance of National Sleepy Head Day?

National Sleepy Head Day is meant to wake people from their lazy slumbers and promote productivity.

How does this day affect people psychologically and emotionally?

This day allows people to enjoy their folk festival and motivates them to be more productive.

How is National Sleepy Head Day different from National Napping Day?

National Sleepy Head Day is celebrated on July 27 in Finland, while National Napping Day is a US national holiday on March 14.

What is unique about National Sleepy Head Day?

On this day, the last person caught asleep is thrown into the sea or a lake because it is believed that otherwise, they'd be unproductive the whole year.

What is the history and origin of National Sleepy Head Day?

National Sleepy Head Day was initiated by the people of Finland in the Middle Ages.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Monday, July 27, 2020
  • Tuesday, July 27, 2021
  • Wednesday, July 27, 2022
  • Thursday, July 27, 2023
  • Saturday, July 27, 2024

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Written by Anamika Balouria

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Bachelor of Education specializing in Secondary Education and Teaching, Master of Arts specializing in English

Anamika Balouria picture

Anamika BalouriaBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Bachelor of Education specializing in Secondary Education and Teaching, Master of Arts specializing in English

A dedicated and enthusiastic learner, Anamika is committed to the growth and development of her team and organization. She holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English from Daulat Ram University and Indira Gandhi Institute for Open Learning respectively, as well as a Bachelor of Education from Amity University, Noida. Anamika is a skilled writer and editor with a passion for continual learning and development.
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