What does “Recharge” for Whole Health mean?

“Recharge” sounds like something you do with your cell phone or other electronic devices. “Recharge” for people is very similar. It refers to sleep, rest, and relaxation, which give you energy. Our bodies need to have enough of these each day, so that we can live well and enjoy life. This handout can help you focus more on this area of self-care, so that you can be at your best.

How can I use sleep, rest, and relaxation to improve my health?

Sleep, rest, and relaxation refresh your body and mind. Your body and mind need enough sleep to work properly. Rest and relaxation can lower stress and give you peace. A good balance between activity and rest improves your health and well-being.

How may I be healthier if I get good sleep?

Good sleep does the following:¹ 

• Gives your body time to fix itself and heal
• Gives your brain time to grow and learn
• Helps you feel better and perform better
• Affects hormone levels needed by your body and mind

You can learn more about these health benefits from the Integrative Health handout “Hints for Encouraging Healthy Sleep.”

The following are some findings about sleep from research studies:

• Almost 31,000 people were surveyed about their health and sleep.² Those who slept under five hours each night were compared with those who slept seven hours. Those with less sleep were more likely to develop health conditions. These included obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, higher blood fats, strokes, and heart attacks.
• A review of 27 studies looked at sleep in over 70,000 older people.³ People who regularly slept less than 7 hours each night or more than 7-8 hours had a greater chance of dying early from any cause.
• Trouble sleeping can lead to thoughts of suicide.⁴