This week is Sleep Deprivation Awareness Week; and at Converge we are no strangers to the effects of this problem on our patients’ health. Both physical and mental effects can be severe and potentially fatal, from chronic sleep deficiency – including heart disease, obesity, diabetes and mentally/emotionally can involve worsened depression, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, the list goes on! “Sleep Hygiene” is a cornerstone of good overall health, and involves simple changes to one’s routine such as limiting nighttime use of electronics, limited caffeine use during the day and regularly occurring “bedtimes.” When sleep is disordered severely, all bets are off in terms of one’s mood and emotional regulation, as well as health in general.
