Public health recommendations meant to control virus transmission and decrease one's risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic include wearing masks, getting tested, practicing hand hygiene, social distancing, quarantining or isolating as indicated, covering coughs and sneezes, getting the vaccine and booster, and staying home when sick or having symptoms of infection. All of these behaviors require some degree of personal responsibility and behavior change but will be most effective only if there is a collective commitment from everyone in the community. Charles-Edward A. Winslow, a bacteriologist and public health expert at Yale University, said, "Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals."1
Although the aim of public health measures is to keep entire populations as healthy as possible, the work begins and ends with each individual. Why would anyone not want to contribute to maximizing their own personal health and contributing to the shared health of all? Individuals are generally also advised to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, limit alcohol intake, refrain from smoking tobacco, reduce stress, and get adequate sleep to meet basic health needs.
The basics: Sleep and immunity
Basic or physiologic needs for human survival include oxygen, water, food, shelter (warmth), and sleep. I think it is safe to say that everyone agrees they cannot live without the first four basics; however, many might view sleep as dispensable, often thinking, "I'll catch up on sleep during the weekend." There is no "catching up" for lost sleep. Sleep serves a purpose in maintaining health. During sleep, neurons in the brain repair, stimuli received during wakefulness are organized and sorted, energy consumption and inflammation are reduced, the immune system receives a boost, and the body repairs muscles and other tissues. Sleep deprivation can impair an individual's health and therefore daily living. Relative to COVID-19, Benedict and Cedernaes suggest that providers assess the sleep patterns of patients and time of vaccine administration to maximize the patient's natural immune system response to their circadian rhythmicity.2 Ishikura and colleagues state, "We must be aware of the important effects of insomnia on the immune systems of these professionals [healthcare workers stressed during the pandemic] and take all measures possible to counter these effects [increased risk for COVID-19 infection]."3 Of course, insomnia is not the only reason for inadequate sleep; common contributing factors among healthcare workers are shift work and long hours.
Sleep awareness
In this issue, Rhonda Winegar, PhD, DNP, presents an interesting pilot study, Maladaptive coping mechanisms of sleep, in which the effects of certain coping behaviors on sleep quality were investigated. The topic of sleep is highlighted by two health observances in March. National Sleep Awareness Week is March 13 to 19, starting at the beginning of US daylight savings time. World Sleep Day is held every year on the Friday before the spring vernal equinox (March 20), which will fall on March 18 this year. The National Sleep Foundation and World Sleep Society provide resources to participate in spreading awareness about the benefits of sleep and potential adverse outcomes of too little sleep.4,5 During the pandemic, follow public health recommendations, but also attend to the body's primal need for sleep. Be safe and healthy!
Jamesetta A. Newland, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, DPNAP, FAAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF [email protected]
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