"Healthier Sleep, Healthier You" aims to wake you up

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Areca Wilson | Kevin Egger, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron Health Promotion coordinator, conducts a “Healthier Sleep, Healthier You” seminar, April 20, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Health Promotion clinic hosts the seminar twice a month to help Team Aviano develop good sleeping habits. (U.S. Air force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Bell/Released)  

AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY

04.22.2016

Story by Senior Airman Areca Wilson 

31st Fighter Wing

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Sleep deprivation has many side effects, that can negatively impact an Airman's performance. It can adversely affect learning, memory, emotional regulation, motor skills and overall health.

To combat these symptoms and achieve optimal sleeping habits, the 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron Health Promotion Clinic "Sleep Team" now hosts a "Healthier Sleep, Healthier You" seminar twice a month.

"The class is about enhancing sleep hygiene and avoiding [problematic habits] we develop," said Kevin Egger, 31st AMDS Health Promotion coordinator. "Healthy sleep is a skill and we sometimes develop it poorly. At the seminar we explain the impact of inadequate sleep and determine why individuals have trouble sleeping."

The "Sleep Team" assesses participants' current sleeping patterns and offers strategies to enhance their quality of life. During the seminar, participants fill out a questionnaire about their sleeping habits, which gives them insight on how well they are sleeping. The seminar also provides resources and guidance to help develop better sleeping habits.

Although the program is geared toward everyone, Egger highly encourages those affected by a deployment to participate.

"When you go down range, your sleep pattern really gets messed up," said Egger. "Over 20 percent of the people don't think they can get help. We're here to help everyone realize [there is an outlet to get help]."

According to Egger, data shows that up to 69 percent of Air Force members get less than 6 hours of sleep a night. He explained that although the body may acclimate to 6 hours of sleep, it is in a compromised state, which correlates to mental health problems and diseases such as prediabetes and heart disease.

"The 'Healthier Sleep, Healthier You' is really here to help you determine how to achieve quality sleep and to teach how the lack of sleep negatively impacts your energy, emotional well-being, personal safety and health," said Egger. "We want to help our community to be more resilient and live healthier lives. It's a 45 minute class that might change your life."

For more information or to sign up for a class, contact the Aviano Health Promotion office at 632-4583 or email [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 04.22.2016
• Date Posted: 04.29.2016 06:19
• Story ID: 196854
• Location: AVIANO AIR BASE, IT