Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Projects: Learn More About Sleep Hygiene!

Learn More About Sleep Hygiene!

Small acts of quiet make a big difference in healing. Thank you for your care! 

Supported by a Peace Arch Hospital & Fraser Health Community Grant, our Foundation is highlighting the importance of sleep hygiene in our Emergency Department. Sleep is a building block for recovery, so we want to ensure our patients have a space where they can rest and heal. Keep reading for more ways you can help and how our hospital is taking steps to support each patient’s recovery journey. 

Benefits of Sleep Hygiene

Supports Immune Function

Your body produces infection-fighting proteins called cytokines and other immune cells while you sleep. Adequate sleep helps your body fight off illness and infection, making you less likely to get sick.

Stabilizes Mood

Sleep plays a key role in regulating your mood and emotions, helping you cope with stress and get along better with others. Chronic sleep deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety.

Balances Vital Functions

Sleep allows the brain and body to regulate hormones, metabolism, immune function, and nervous system activity. Without enough sleep, these vital systems fall out of balance, increasing stress, illness risk, and overall dysfunction.

Accelerates Recovery

Sleep drives recovery in the body by releasing growth hormone, repairing muscle tissue, and consolidating motor learning. Short sleep slows healing, weakens training adaptation, and reduces the benefits of other recovery strategies you use overall daily.

Promotes Healthy Metabolism and Weight

Sleep helps maintain a healthy balance of the hormones that make you feel hungry (ghrelin) and full (leptin). Lack of sleep can disrupt this balance, leading to increased appetite and a higher risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

Improves Cognitive Function

Sleep is critical for brain function, including learning, memory consolidation, and problem-solving skills. It helps you focus, make good decisions, and perform better at work or school.

Reduces Risk of Chronic Health Problems

Getting enough sleep on a regular basis lowers your risk for serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke by allowing your heart and blood vessels to rest and by reducing inflammation.

How We are Improving Sleep Quality at Peace Arch Hospital (and How You Can Help!)

Quiet Hours & Noise Reduction Measures

  • Keeping voices low near all patients
  • Enforcing quiet hours from 11:00pm – 6:00am to promote restful sleep
  • Grouping tests, meds/ and assessments together to minimize awakenings

Patient Sleep Kits

  • Offering patients earplugs and/or noise-cancelling headphones to minimize noise distractions while resting
  • Providing heated blankets to patients to promote sleep
  • Lowering lights and adjusting bed position for additional comfort for patients

Monitoring & Feedback

  • Staff will provide clear instructions to families and visitors on new expectations to promote rest
  • Patients and families will take a survey about new sleep measures to ensure they are effective and/or change elements accordingly

Quick Checklist for Staff

  • Keep voices & lights down
  • Practice cluster care
  • Offer blankets, eye masks, earplugs, headphones

Every small action helps our hallway patients rest better. Better rest = safer, calmer, and faster recoveries. Thank you for doing your part.

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