Better sleep only a class away

Photo By Spc. Josh Lecappelain | Staff Sgt. JoReen Jones, a mental health technician with the 732nd Expeditionary Support Squadron, speaks to Soldiers and civilians during a sleep hygiene class, Sept. 2, 2008, at the Kalsu Chapel on Forward Operating Base Kalsu.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

09.04.2008

Story by Spc. Josh Lecappelain 

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Spc. Josh LeCappelain
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Tired of long, restless nights, tossing and turning dreading tomorrow's patrol? So much on your mind that you can't slow things down and fall asleep?

Forward Operating Base Kalsu's Combat Stress hosts a "Sleep Hygiene" class the first Tuesday of each month, designed to help Soldiers, service members and civilians get a decent night's sleep.

The class is run by Air Force Staff Sgt. JoReen Jones, a mental health technician with the 732nd Expeditionary Support Squadron.

"It's basically a class to give Soldiers new ways to improve their sleep," said Jones, a native of Grants Pass, Ore. "It's essential for doing your job – you need to be alert to complete the mission."

During each class, which is held at the Kalsu Chapel from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jones teaches a relaxation technique that focuses on diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and imagery focusing, which are tools in helping bodies relax and minds feel at ease.

The average person needs three to 10 hours of sleep a night, according to Jones. She recommends that deployed personnel try to get close to what they normally would get back in the U.S. While that might not be possible at times, a person's body is accustomed to that amount of sleep and they might feel sluggish and exhausted with anything less.

Some helpful tips that Jones suggested for better sleep include using one's bed only for sleep and not sitting in it all the time, don't smoke or exercise before trying to sleep, and find ways to relax before going to bed.

Jones, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., said the material she teaches in the class takes about a month of practice before people see actual results.

"It's like an exercise program," she added. "It takes time for it to start working, before you see results."

Soldiers are not required to register for the class before attending.

• Date Taken: 09.04.2008
• Date Posted: 09.04.2008 10:01
• Story ID: 23193
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ