Enjoy This Week’s CommonHealth WellNote

Enjoy this week’s CommonHealth Weekly WellNote, made possible through Virginia’s Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM):

Whether you are looking to resolve a specific sleep problem, or you just want to feel more productive, mentally sharp, and emotionally balanced during the day, experiment with the following sleep tips to see which work best for you:

Rule out medical causes for your sleep problems. Sleep disturbance may be a symptom of a physical or mental health issue or it may be a side effect of certain medications.

Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Support your biological clock by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, including weekends.

Get regular exercise. Aim for 30 minutes or more of activity on most days—but not too close to bedtime.

Manage your stress. If the stress of balancing work, family, or school is keeping you awake at night, learning how to handle stress in a productive way can help you sleep better at night.

Improve your sleep environment. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.

Develop a relaxing bedtime routine. Avoid screens, work, and stressful conversations late at night. Instead, wind down and calm your mind by taking a warm bath, reading by a dim light, or practicing a relaxation technique to prepare for sleep.

Postpone worrying. If you wake during the night feeling anxious about something, make a brief note of it on paper, and postpone worrying about it until the next day when it will be easier to resolve.

Try 10 tips for a better bedtime routine this week! Stay Well!

For questions regarding this week’s communication or the CommonHealth program, please reach out to your respective campus coordinator below:

Alexandria-Kathy Clement or Najeeb Baha
Annandale-Regina Sanders
Fairfax/College Staff-Angel Mori
Loudoun-Gert Heslin
Manassas-ThuyTien Ngo-Nguyen
Springfield Medical Education Campus (MEC)-Corrine House
Woodbridge-Georgette Harris