LEXINGTON, Ky. — According to the Center for Disease Control, 80 million adults in the United States suffer from chronic sleep deprivation, getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night. There are many reasons for poor sleep — too much screen time before bed, stress, depression, poor diet and lack of exercise, to name a few.
Why is sleep important? It isn’t just about rest. While our sensory awareness, voluntary muscles and conscious thought do “sleep,” other parts of our bodies are busy rebuilding muscle and bone, mending skin, replenishing energy stores and even healing disease.
To help you improve your sleep and discover how it can benefit you personally, University of Kentucky Human Resources’ Health and Wellness and Student Wellness have partnered together to offer a new sleep program called Refresh. It is available to students, faculty and staff.
“More and more evidence shows sleep is one of the main pillars of health, along with physical activity and good nutrition,” says Jody Ensman, program manager for UK HR Health and Wellness. “Without managing your sleep habits, optimal health and well-being are nearly impossible, especially during times of increased stress. That’s why we wanted to offer a resource that can be used to improve sleep on an individual, personalized level.”
The purpose of the Refresh sleep program is to provide students, faculty and staff with skills and strategies that will enable them to enjoy more restful nights. It uses a web app called Sleeprate that analyzes your sleep patterns, identifies any issues you may have and creates a personalized program to help you improve your sleep, step-by-step.
This free program can be completed in 4-12 weeks, depending on your specific sleep concerns. Participants will receive a weekly email with important information and tips proven to help improve sleep.
To participate in the program, you’ll need to go to the UK Sleep Well page and follow the directions. It is important to register using your linkblue email account. If you use another email, you won’t be able to access the full program.
Rachel Reynolds is a student wellness ambassador with Campus Recreation and Wellness and has been using the Sleeprate/Refresh app for the last few months. When asked about it, her response was:
“The Refresh/Sleeprate app is a tool for those who want to upgrade their sleep habits. Improving sleep is one of the most effective and immediate ways to benefit your overall health and wellness. Having an app that reminds you to take time for this integral piece of your health is helpful for anyone looking to stay more alert during the day, improve focus, and reduce fatigue. Many of us don’t get enough sleep, and learning how to sleep more effectively with a personalized plan can go a long way toward making you feel better every day.”