Enjoy This Week’s CommonHealth Weekly Wellnote
Sleep is an essential function that allows the body and mind to recharge. When we get the proper amount of sleep, we wake up feeling energized, invigorated, and mentally alert. Quality sleep can benefit your cognitive functions, physical health, energy levels, and mood. No, you’re not dreaming. For more on the benefits of quality sleep, click on this link from The Monday Campaigns.
How much sleep do we really need? The National Sleep Foundation recommends that people of all ages get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night. But despite this advice, 30% of Americans fail to get the proper amount of sleep. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has actually declared sleep deprivation a public health problem.
Sleep Disorders
The collective term sleep disorder refers to conditions that affect sleep quality, timing, or duration and impact a person’s ability to properly function while they are awake. These disorders can contribute to other medical problems, and some may also be symptoms of underlying mental health issues.
In 1979, the American Sleep Disorders Association published the first classification system dedicated to sleep disorders. Our knowledge and understanding of sleep health have evolved over the past four decades. More than 100 specific sleep disorders have been identified and today’s classifications use complex methodologies to categorize these disorders based on
causes, symptoms, physiological and psychological effects, and other criteria. However, most sleep disorders can be characterized by one or more of the following four signs:
- You have trouble falling or remaining asleep.
- You find it difficult to stay awake during the day.
- There are imbalances in your circadian rhythm that interfere with a healthy sleep schedule.
- You are prone to unusual behaviors that disrupt your sleep.
Any of these signs could indicate a sleep disorder. People who experience any of these issues are encouraged to consult with their doctor.
Visit the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM Sleep Education) to learn more about the most common sleep disorders, symptoms, and potential treatment options.
For questions regarding this week’s communication or the CommonHealth program, you can also reach out to your respective campus coordinator below:
- Alexandria – Kathy Clement (KClement@nvcc.edu) or Najeeb Baha (NBaha@nvcc.edu)
- Annandale – Matthew “Tank” McCarl (mmccarl@nvcc.edu)
- Fairfax/College Staff – Dahlia Henry-Tett (DHTett@nvcc.edu)
- Loudoun – Tammy Wagner (TWagner@nvcc.edu)
- Manassas – ThuyTien Ngo-Nguyen (TNgoNguyen@nvcc.edu)
- Medical Education Campus (Springfield) – Beverly Tsikata (btsikata@nvcc.edu)
- Woodbridge – Amira Alexander (AAlexander@nvcc.edu)
Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, HR-Chief Wellness Officer, DHTett@nvcc.edu