The importance of sleep
Sleep can play an important role in helping people to recover from illness, including HIV. Sleep problems can also cause fatigue during the day and affect quality of life. Most healthy adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.
Psychological factors, including depression and stress, are considered to be the leading causes of many sleeping difficulties. When depression is treated, depression-related sleep problems usually disappear.
Here are some tips for better sleep:
- Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day.
- Exercise regularly to improve your sleep and increase deep sleep.
- If you can't go to sleep after 30 minutes, get up and do something relaxing until you
feel sleepy - Avoid heavy meals and sugary drinks before bedtime
- Consume less caffeine or eliminate this substance completely
Dealing with stress
Everyone has experienced some level of stress in their lives. Work, school, traffic jams, money problems, and the like can cause stress. Advise your patients that stress upsets the body and may weaken the immune system.
Relaxation is a good way to reduce stress. Advise patients that relaxation allows the body to return to its normal level of functioning. Relaxation therapies, such as meditation, visualization, and yoga can promote overall health and well-being. Here is a brief description of each:
Meditation is a way of concentrating that allows the mind and body to relax. Most meditation techniques involve deep breathing and focusing on the body and mind. Patients can meditate by sitting still and closing their eyes, but they can also meditate while taking a walk or performing any everyday activity.
Visualization is another method people use to relax and relieve stress. Visualizing and focusing on a safe, comfortable, and pleasant place can help the patient feel less stress and may lessen pain.
Yoga is a set of exercises that can reduce stress, improve fitness, and increase flexibility. Yoga involves breathing exercises, stretches and poses, and meditation. There are different types of yoga and various classes that patients can take if yoga is appropriate for them.
Please consult Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING, Medication Guide, and Important Safety Information for VIRAMUNE.
