The HNHN-NJ theme for July is on Healthy Sleep
Hello NJ Healthy Nurses!
The HNHN-NJ theme for July is on Healthy Sleep.
It is essential and crucial that we are mindful of ourselves. The ANA defines a healthy nurse as one who actively focuses on creating and maintaining a balance and synergy of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, personal and professional well-being.
With healthy sleep, we can be a healthy nurse and achieve balance. The following are the basics of “Good Sleep Habits”:
- Be consistent – A good way to sleep well is to train your body to go to bed and get up at similar times every day. This regular rhythm will make you feel better and will give you balance.
- Get up and try again – If you can’t sleep after 20 minutes or more, get up and do something calming or boring until you feel sleepy, then return to bed and try again.
- Avoid caffeine –It is best to avoid consuming any caffeine (in coffee, tea, coal drinks, chocolate and some medications) or nicotine for at least 4-6 hours before going to bed.
- Bath time –Taking a hot bath 1-2 hours before bedtime can help you feel sleepy. The hot bath will raise your body temperature and as your body temperature lowers you will feel sleepy.
- No clock-watching – Checking the clock during the night can wake you up and reinforces negative thoughts such as “Oh no, look how late it is, I’ll never get to sleep” or “It’s so early, I have only slept for 5 hours, this is terrible.”
Next week we will share more healthy sleep habits that will promote good sleep hygiene.
A good laugh and long sleep are the two best cures for anything. Irish Proverb
Thank you for being part of healthy nurse, healthy nation movement!
Laura Mularz, Jillian Bailey, Linda Gural, and the Healthy Nurse, Nation-NJ Team
