Wellness Message From Your Parish Nurse

She at the Care Team meetings, visiting the sick and shut-ins, and taking blood pressures in the church office on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. until noon.

 

Attention EAFUMC Members,

The Care Team Is In Need Of Visit People!

Part of our Caring Mission is to provide visits to the homebound, hospitalized, nursing home and assisted living residents and ill. We are recruiting anyone in the church who would like to make visits. The visits are our way of showing those in need that their church family cares and supports them. If you would like to make visits please contact either Carole Rosenthal #259-5019 or Amy Bohn, Parish Nurse #798-1979 or Elaine, Church Secretary #259-1306.

P.S. You can make visits either individually or you can request to go with another care team member on visits.  

Thanks So Much- Parish Nurse Amy Bohn

 

 

 

Greetings Members and Friends of East Alton First United Methodist Church,

  

May is National Healthy Sleep Month!

 

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3: 4-5

 

A recent survey found that more people are sleeping less than 6 hours a night, and sleep difficulties visit 75% of us at least a few nights per week. A short-lived bout of insomnia is generally nothing to worry about. The bigger concern is chronic sleep loss, which can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure and a decrease in the immune system’s power.

 

Six reasons to get enough sleep:

1. Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later.

2. Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.

3. Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps and road accidents.

4. Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.

5. Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels and irregular heartbeat.

6. Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.

  

Tips for maintaining a healthy sleep cycle and ensuring the best night’s rest:

 

---Keep a sleep diary. Find out a lot about your sleep habits. The best medicine for a health is a sleep routine that works with your schedule. Review your log for a week or two. Compare the days you didn't sleep much with those you did, and try to fix the problems that interfere with your sleep.

---Sleep in when your schedule permits it. While most people live busy lives, they often at times forget that sleep is an important part of life. An adult needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep a day, and some need even more. If you feel tired, you're not getting enough sleep. Make sleep a priority by keeping a consistent bedtime and wake schedule, including weekends.

---Avoid alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar and energy bars close to bedtime. While they serve a purpose, they aren't necessary if you are getting the adequate amount of sleep each night. They may actually be disrupting your sleep which creates a cycle of tiredness.

---Reduce your stress level. Stress causes millions to lose sleep every night. Spend a few minutes relaxing, meditating or doing yoga before going to bed. Use relaxation tapes, music or aromatherapy candles to help you calm down, de-stress and fall asleep.

---Exercise regularly, but complete workouts at least two hours before bedtime.

---Reevaluate your mattress and pillows. The average person sleeps in a saggy mattress for far too long. An old, worn-out mattress causes back pain and sleepless nights. Your mattress should be replaced every 5-7 years. Consider investing in a new mattress to improve your everyday life. If you sleep with a partner, your mattress should allow each of you enough space to move easily. Studies suggest a queen or king mattress for 2 persons. In general, pillows would be replaced every year.

---Create a bedtime routine that is relaxing. Experts recommend reading a book, listening to soothing music or soaking in a hot bath.

---Create a room that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool for the best possible sleep.

---Keep work materials, computers and televisions out of the bedroom.

 

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  Psalm 4:8

 

Sources:

Harvard University

National Sleep Foundation

 

Blessings,

Amy Bohn RN, BSN