Seminar offers help for those who are "sleepless in Saskatchewan"

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

If you’re a farmer who’s spent a night or two looking out at the sheep instead of counting them, you know how important a good rest can be. An upcoming seminar in Regina, co-hosted by the Farm Stress Line, will take a closer look at sleep science – and how to make our snoozing have a positive impact on our waking hours.

“Sleepless in Saskatchewan” is a one-day forum that looks at the dynamics of sleep and how everyone can make sleep work more effectively for them.

Co-organizer Ken Imhoff with the Farm Stress Line of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) said the seminar can appeal to anyone. “Service providers, people experiencing difficulties with sleep, people who work with others in situations where sleep can be impacted – they would all benefit from the day,” he noted.

The agenda covers a wide range of sleep topics, including 21st century life and how it affects our body clocks; high stress and its impact on behaviour; career commitment and its relationship to stress; our daily routines and how they can affect sleep; the science of sleep; and extended work hours and their effects on our physical and psychological well-being.

The workshop presenter is Jon Shearer, who has been involved with sleep research since 1977. Shearer was a founding member of the Carlton University Laboratory for Sleep and Chronopsychology, and has since conducted studies and field work with the Atlantic Police Academy and the Canadian Subarctic Project. He is currently a professor of psychology, philosophy and cross-cultural relations at Algonquin College in Ottawa.

Imhoff has heard Shearer speak before, and says his easy, approachable presentation style makes the experience fly by.

“One thing about this presentation is you’ll never fall asleep during it,” said Imhoff. “It’s very energized and positive. Jon takes complex topics and makes them entertaining and easy to understand.”

One such topic is the “Science of Sleep” presentation, in which participants will learn about various methods science has shown to increase positive sleep – the kind of rest that truly does a body good. The topic also includes a discussion about how your diet can affect your sleep, beyond the obvious answers like cutting down on the coffee.

“Sleepless in Saskatchewan” is co-hosted by the Farm Stress Line of SAF and the Institute of Agricultural Rural Environmental Health based at the University of Saskatchewan. The seminar takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program starts at 8:45 a.m.

The cost for attending is $140 per person, which includes a continental breakfast at registration and lunch during the seminar. The event takes place at the South Albert Street Travelodge Hotel in Regina. Special room rates are available for those attending from out of town.

Anyone interested in registering for the seminar or learning more about the event can contact Ken Imhoff by phone at (306) 787-5196 or e-mail at kimhoff@agr.gov.sk.ca.

For more information, contact:

Ken Imhoff, Manager, Farm Stress Line
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-5196
Toll-free: 1-866-680-0006
E-mail: kimhoff@agr.gov.sk.ca