Sleepin' Deacon - Office of Wellbeing

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Sleepin’ Deacon

Sleepin’ Deacon is the Office of Wellbeing’s annual campus-wide initiative which focuses on sleep education and the promotion of healthy sleep habits. This two-week challenge engages students, faculty, and staff members to improve their current sleeping habits. During the 2-weeks, participants will be asked to record their sleep daily as well as their sleep hygiene practices.

2024 Sleepin’ Deacon Challenge

The 2024 challenge will take place February 11 – February 25! Participants are required to attend one orientation session before the beginning of the challenge. For those who are unable to attend either orientation, a recording of the Zoom session will be made available.

Orientation Session 1: Monday, February 5 from 5PM – 6PM in Wellbeing Center Room A330

Orientation Session 2: Wednesday, February 7 from 12PM – 1PM on Zoom

Sleepin’ Deacon Challenge participants are invited to join us for the following special events:

Mental Health Week: Hosted by WFU Student Government, Mental Health Week seeks to bring awareness to mental health on campus. Mental Health Week will take place the week of February 12-18. Stay tuned for the schedule of events.
Craft Night with the WakerSpace: Join the Office of Wellbeing and the WakerSpace for a craft night featuring customized pillows, aromatherapy, and sleep kits. Attendees will also be entered into a raffle for prizes like a weighted blanket, massage certificate, and more! Wednesday, February 21 from 4PM – 6PM (or until supplies lasts) at the WakerSpace

Headrests: The Exhibit: Visit the Headrests exhibit at the Lam Museum of Anthropology at any point during the 2024 challenge to explore the science of sleep and the beauty and meaning of dozens of sculpted headrests and to be entered into a raffle for Sleepin’ Deacon prizes. Exhibit is open January 16 – September 21, 2024 at the Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology. Admission is free.
Sleepin’ Deacon Challenge Completion Celebration: Sleepin’ Deacon Challenge winners are invited to come celebrate the completion of the 2024 Sleepin’ Deacon challenge and pick up their prizes. Monday, March 18 from 5PM – 6PM in Wellbeing Center Room A330

Have a question? Email thrive@wfu.edu

Why Sleep Matters

With so much to do during the day, it can be hard to relax and prepare ourselves for sleep. Often seen as a break from the day at best or a hindrance at worst, sleep is not given the credit it deserves as it promotes our immune system, maintains physical health, and supports brain function. It allows the body to rest and recover from yesterday and gives us the energy to move through the next day. Sleeping regularly can help you feel better, do better academically, and engage with stimuli more effectively.

While these are great factors for promoting sleeping hygiene, the Office of Wellbeing would like to acknowledge that you, as a person, were not created to maximize output. As students, we can believe that what matters more are the products we create rather than our needs. But rest is not optional or a privilege, but a human need and right. Allow yourself to rest not because you want to keep producing products, but because you are human – sleeping is the most human action to take.

Sleep well.

Zzz…

Tools like the Sleep Diary, What’s your Sleep IQ, the Sleepiness Test, and Healthy Sleep Tips provided by the “National Sleep Foundation” will help you assess your sleep habits, increase your knowledge about positive sleep practices, and help you improve your sleep. This online tool kit will better prepare you for a well-rested night of sleep. All “Sleep Tools” are provided below!