A good night's sleep: Three strategies to rest, relax and restore energy

Sleep deprivation in the ranks of healthcare workers has been documented in research for decades. Recent potential “sleep burdens” have worsened sleep problems in healthcare: the prolonged pandemic; lean staffing; longer work hours; juggling two or three part-time jobs for needed income; simultaneously caring for children and aging parents; and the resulting high stress levels sustained for prolonged periods of time. These factors not only put healthcare practitioners at risk, but their patients as well. Three self-care strategies to improve sleep described in this review --integrate mind (journaling), body (sleep hygiene) and spirit-based (mindful and meditative walking) approaches -- give healthcare workers a mini holistic toolkit. All three have minimum time requirements and can be incorporated into existing routines.