“Sleep Well, Be Well” for Sleep-Deprived Nurses

“Sleep Well, Be Well” for Sleep-Deprived Nurses

Does any nurse out there get more than enough sound sleep on a regular basis? Probably not. Nurses are notoriously sleep-deprived.

Everybody’s aware that getting a restful night’s sleep — seven or eight hours are recommended for most adults — is one of the foundations of good health. (The others are eat well and exercise regularly, of course.)

A new public health campaign called “Sleep Well, Be Well” seeks to raise awareness among Americans about the necessity of a good night’s sleep.

It’s crucial that we get sufficient sleep each and every night — don’t delay sleep because you think of it as a luxury or try to “bank it” by sleeping in late on your days off. Remember, there are health risks that go along with chronic sleep deprivation and untreated sleep disturbances, such as sleep apnea.

The “Sleep Well, Be Well” campaign is part of the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, they are partnering with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Sleep Research Society. 

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.healthfinder.gov, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Here are a few Don’ts to follow during the day, so that better sleep is a Do at night.

Don’t exercise right before bed — it’ll get you too revved up to snooze.

Don’t consume caffeine late in the day: nix coffee, tea, certain soft drinks, as well as chocolate.

Don’t nap during the day, unless it’s for short durations of less than an hour.

Don’t drink alcohol, or drink it in moderation — alcohol can make sleep more elusive.

Don’t large quantities of food late in the day, and especially not before bedtime.

Don’t smoke cigarettes, as nicotine interferes with sound sleep.

How do you go about getting the recommended daily dose of restful sleep? Please share your strategies for sleep success with other nurses so that we can all sleep well and be well.


Jebra Turner is freelance writer in Portland, Oregon. Visit her at www.jebra.com.

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