Gordon Graham
Category: Public Safety
Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Now, this is for all my friends in public safety, so don’t nod off, folks! Today we’re going to talk about healthy sleep habits.
The CDC estimates that one in three adults in the U.S doesn’t get enough sleep. In fact, nearly 40% admit to falling asleep during the day at least once a month. To make matters worse, 50 to 70 million people have chronic sleep disorders. I’m willing to bet that a significant number of these people come from the ranks of public safety.
You’ll never be on your A-game if you don’t take care of yourself.
Public safety demands 24/7 coverage. As a first responder, you’re consistently working against normal sleep cycles. This can cause fatigue, increased irritability, reduced levels of alertness, and memory impairment. While we can’t avoid shift work, we can control how effective our rest cycles are. But it takes commitment and a concerted effort on your part.
So, what can you do? Start by getting enough sack time. In a perfect world, each of us would always get at least seven to eight hours of non-interrupted sleep each night. But the world isn’t perfect, and that’s not always possible.
To increase your chances of getting the rest you need, avoid alcohol or caffeine before bedtime. Stop using smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime. Also, for best results, make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.
Two often-overlooked parts of a healthy sleep routine are proper diet and exercise. Good nutrition helps your body heal after a tough day at work, but try to avoid eating a big, heavy meal right before bedtime. Getting exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight is also extremely important and can help prevent disorders such as sleep apnea.
Folks, you’ll never be on your A-game if you don’t take care of yourself. Get proper rest so you can perform as expected every day.
And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.
