Sleepyhead Day (Onebō-san no Hi)

What is Sleepyhead Day?

July 27th is "Sleepyhead Day" (Onebō-san no Hi). It originates in Finland, where it is known as Unikeonpäivä ("National Sleepy Head Day" in English). On this day, according to folk custom, the last person in the household still asleep is woken with water — by having water thrown on them, or even by being tossed into a lake or the sea.

Why July 27th is "Sleepyhead Day"

The day is linked to the legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, an ancient city in present-day Turkey. According to the legend, seven young Christians hid in a cave to escape persecution, fell asleep, and awoke some two hundred years later. July 27th has traditionally been associated with them.

• The legend: Named after the Seven Sleepers who slept for centuries in a cave.
• A medieval belief: Whoever slept late on this day was believed to be lazy and unproductive for the rest of the year.
• Not a religious holiday: Today it is an informal, lighthearted summer celebration.

Naantali's Sleepyhead in the Sea

In the port town of Naantali in southwestern Finland, a well-known person chosen as that year's "sleepyhead" is thrown into the sea from the harbor at 7 a.m. The identity of the sleeper is kept secret until the event, and those chosen have usually done something for the benefit of the town. Every mayor of Naantali has been thrown in at least once, along with writers, artists and politicians. Festivities continue into the evening, with activities for all ages.

Ways to enjoy Sleepyhead Day

• Learn about summer in Finland: Midnight sun, saunas and other Nordic summer traditions.
• Improve your sleep environment: Review your pillow, bedding, and bedroom temperature and humidity for hot summer nights.
• Sleep in a little on a day off: Set your alarm a bit later than usual.
• Share it as small talk: "The day oversleepers get thrown into the sea" makes a fun morning conversation starter.

Trivia about sleep

• Summer makes it easy to become sleep-deprived: High room temperature and humidity can interfere with sleep, so use air conditioning wisely.
• Oversleeping may be a signal: If your wake-up time differs greatly between weekdays and days off, you may not be getting enough sleep during the week.

A lighthearted Nordic summer tradition

July 27th, Sleepyhead Day, is a lively Finnish summer custom born from a legend of a very long sleep. Throwing an oversleeper into the sea may sound rough, but it is full of humor. Whether you got up on time this morning or overslept, why not get to bed a little earlier tonight?