The National Sleep Foundation and the St. Alexius Sleep Center Announce the Great American Sleep Challenge
Posted on 12/4/2006
Does having more energy, feeling refreshed and zipping through the day with a rejuvenated spirit sound intriguing or, maybe even impossible? It could be easier to achieve than you think. One solution may be to get a better night’s sleep! An astonishing 70 million Americans experience sleep problems that impact relationship, health, productivity at work and even driving skills. In order to combat this growing epidemic, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and the St. Alexius Sleep Center will launch the NSF Great American Sleep Challenge™, a nationwide, online campaign designed to focus America’s attention on getting better sleep.
Beginning February 5 through March 19, 2007, Americans who want to achieve better sleep and improve their overall well-being are encouraged to log onto www.sleepfoundation.org/challenge and sign up. It is easy to participate; all of the tools, which include a questionnaire to set desired sleep goals and a one week, online journal, are presented in consumer-friendly language. Once the Sleep Challenge is completed, participants will have the ability to assess their sleep needs and be one step closer to feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to go. And, by participating, all entrants qualify to win “dreamy” sleep-related prizes.
“Day to day, nationwide our lifestyles are compromised because of the quality of our sleep. The goal of the Sleep Challenge is simple: to help Americans get better sleep,” said NSF’s CEO, Richard L. Gelula. “It is established that there is a direct association between how Americans are sleeping and their overall behavior, mood and performance. There is solid evidence that the quality and quantity of our sleep plays a significant role in our daily lives. NSF and the St. Alexius Sleep Center believe that the Sleep Challenge will provide eye-opening results for those plagued with poor sleep habits and will also education about how to get sleep we need.”
Participants are encouraged to enlist as many people they can. Everyone who participates will be entered into a drawing to win sleep-related prizes. Inviting others to join the Sleep Challenge can be done by sending an e-card or e-mail to family, friends and colleagues. NSF and the St. Alexius Sleep Center aspire to have all of Americans on the fast track to better sleep.
If an individual’s Sleep Challenge goals are not met, and trouble sleeping continues to be a problem, the easy-to-print sleep journal can be shared with one of the board certified sleep specialists at the St. Alexius Sleep Center.
For additional information on sleep or the importance of sleep, visit the St. Alexius Sleep Center website at
www.st.alexius.org/sleep_center/default.asp.
NSF Boiler Plate
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving greater understanding of sleep and sleep disorders. NSF furthers its mission through sleep-related education, research and advocacy initiatives. NSF’s membership includes researches and clinicians focused on sleep medicine as well as other professionals in the health/medical/science fields, individuals and more that 700 sleep clinics throughout North America that join the Foundation’s Community Sleep Awareness Partners program.
NSF’s financial support comes from a variety of diverse sources, including memberships, sales of educational materials, advertising, investment income, individual donations, subscriptions and educational grants from foundations, federal agencies, and corporations including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical companies. Corporate grants are accepted on an unrestricted basis only. NSF alone determines the ideas and content published or promoted in its education programs. Information about NSF including its gift acceptance policies can be found at www.sleepfounation.org/about.
About the St. Alexius Sleep Center
The St. Alexius Sleep Center is the only accredited Sleep Center in the region, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The Sleep Center provides comprehensive clinical, evaluation and management of children and adults with all forms of sleep disorders. St. Alexius Medical Center has a state-of-the-art sleep center with the finest equipment and extremely knowledgeable staff. The staff consist of registered respiratory therapists, registered polysomnographic technologists, neurologists and two physicians specially trained and board-certified in sleep medicine, Dr. Siriwan Kriengkrairut and Dr. Chatree Wongirard.