Recharge is different from other areas of self-care in the Circle of Health. Sometimes, rather than requiring that a person “do something,” enhancing health may involve not doing something. How might stillness – or taking a pause – fit in? Recharge can involve taking a break, or a vacation. In addition, a major focus for Recharge in many Integrative Health plans is sleep, which is essential to good health. This overview builds on the material in Chapter 9 of the Passport to Whole Health (18 MB PDF), specifically focusing on how sleep is influenced by all of the areas of the Circle of Health.

Key Points

  • Good sleep has a multitude of health benefits; conversely, insomnia can be quite harmful to health and can contribute to decreased lifespan and risk of multiple chronic diseases.
  • As you work with people to help them improve their sleep, there are many options available. Goals related to self-care, such as dietary changes or creating activity plans can help, as can working with stress using various mind-body tools, including those offered by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).
  • Professional care can also play an important role when it comes to Recharge. Dietary supplements (several are discussed), acupuncture, and pharmacotherapy all have their place, as do a number of other approaches.

Please see the downloads section for more detailed clinician and patient information.

Disclaimer: This information is for general education. Please work with your health care practitioner to use it in the best way possible to promote your health.

UW Integrative Medicine Logo

Downloads:

For Clinicians

Handouts for Patients:

Feedback

Please help us make this module as useful as possible by filling out our brief module evaluation form.