May is Better Sleep Month, an awareness month started by the Better Sleep Council to increase awareness of the value of a good night’s sleep and the importance of sleep environment. In May, Brookhaven Retreat teaches the women in its Poncho® Program the effects of work-related stress on sleep and mental health.
Most women suffering from anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar disorder experience trouble sleeping. Because sleep disturbances are a risk factor for triggering mental health issues and substance abuse, women suffering from mental illnesses must be careful to get adequate sleep.
Brookhaven Retreat encourages healthy sleep habits among the women in its residential treatment program through a variety of groups and therapies. These classes help women create conducive sleep environments, begin effective pre-sleep rituals and establish nutrition and exercise habits that encourage sleep.
In May, Brookhaven Retreat examines the effect of work-related stress on sleep and mental health. A woman’s work situation is strongly linked with her sleep habits and affects her mental health by creating anxiety and disturbing sleep. When work-related sleep-loss becomes an issue, change may be necessary.
Brookhaven Retreat’s Poncho® Program helps women realign their lives to be supportive of continued mental health. Sometimes this may include examining potential career changes in order to improve stress levels and mental health. By taking emotional needs into account, women learn to create a life in which all aspects are supportive and nurturing of mental wellness; this includes creating effective sleep habits and avoiding the daily stressors that negatively affect mental health.
