Abstract
Sleep takes up one-third of our lives. At least it should. While complaints of insomnia are typically not the precipitating factor for the office visit, patients will reveal their sleeping difficulties when asked a few simple, straightforward questions. Sleep is at the top of the list for leading a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle, and sleep problems are the source of significant co-morbidities. Current research has provided information about the prevalence, morbidity, and diagnosis of insomnia and some tools for behavioral and pharmacological management of this disorder. Nurses with a good understanding of sleep theories can use sleep and rest as an intervention to promote healing after surgery.