Sleep Health Information by ASAA

Welcome to Sleephealth.org!

We are an evidence-based organization that takes a holistic approach to sleep. We understand that sleep and sleep problems and disorders cannot be properly assessed and managed in isolation, but must be understood in the context of the whole person. We give you straight information, not false hopes or stale advice. We empower YOU to take charge of your sleep health, and we give you resources for when you need help – including connections to people experiencing sleep health challenges similar to yours, as well as a mentorship program and CPAP help.

Joan is a nurse who sleeps poorly

Consider this scenario: Joan, a nurse, works the day shift at her local hospital. She sleeps poorly and often wakes up tired. It’s hard for her to stay alert, particularly during the last couple of hours of her shift. She made two medication errors in the past week – luckily, a coworker picked them up. Last week, she nodded off very briefly while driving to work and awoke just in time to avoid drifting into oncoming traffic. She’s tired when she leaves work, but before she can go home, she has to pick up medication for her husband and clothes at the cleaners. When she gets home, she has to cook dinner. By the time she goes to bed, although she’s exhausted, she’s also wound up from all the evening’s activities and she can’t fall asleep.

Joan is in trouble. She’s in a cycle that is harming her health and risking lives. But there are steps she – and everyone – can take to improve sleep and overall health, and to manage sleep problems and sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, that are chronic.

Why Sleep?

Sleep is one of the three pillars of health, along with nutrition and movement – it is a fundamental part of your overall health and wellbeing. Sleep affects all aspects of your health and, conversely, it is affected by everything that is going on in your mind and body, as well as in your environment. That’s why sleep problems and solutions must be looked at in the context of YOU.

Sleep makes up one-third of your life, which is huge – yet, it remains largely invisible, unless it’s disturbed. Some people wish they could skip over this part of life, or try to sleep less, thinking they’ll be able to be more productive or have more fun. Nothing is further from the truth! That’s because sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. If you don’t get enough, your productivity and fun time will suffer.

Sleep impacts all of your body systems – cardiovascular, muscular, nervous, endocrine, skeletal, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and the reproductive system. Sleep also affects metabolism, and is closely linked to weight gain and loss. Poor sleep also has been linked to cancer, injuries, poor brain health and even an increased risk of glaucoma.

Doesn’t something this important deserve your attention?

Sleep Health

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