Sleep: Is it time to rethink the message?

Provider Lisa Feierstein has long extolled the virtues of a good night's sleep, but this year she's taking her message beyond the CPAP.

“It's time to wake up and really understand how important sleep is, not only to your health, but just being able to accomplish what you want to every day to have a joyful, happy life,” said Feierstein, co-founder and president of Raleigh, N.C.-based Active Healthcare. 

Her inspiration: Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, who has declared 2016 the year of the “sleep revolution.” Huffington has been outspoken about the importance of sleep since a 2007 collapse from exhaustion.

“She has seen the light and that's where I am taking my social media,” said Feierstein. “I don't think that talking about sleep apnea and co-morbidities is
resonating.”

When motivating people to take sleep disorders seriously, it helps to consider your audience, says Katie Colborn, sales and marketing manager for Homestead, Pa.-based REMWorks. Different people are motivated by different things.

“Younger people or people with job-related sleep issues are more likely to respond to improving their quality of life,” she said. “If they are unable to function during regular work hours, or have some excessive sleepiness while driving or working, they are more likely to seek treatment.”

Older people, on the other hand, may already be experiencing common co-morbid conditions that compel them to seek treatment, said
Colborn.

“When some patients learn they may be able to stop or reduce medications for high blood pressure, diabetes or even depression, they are more motivated to adhere to PAP therapy,” she said.

At the end of the day, it's important for everyone to understand the importance of sleep, say providers.

“There's no more excuses,” said Feierstein.