Sleep seminars to be reawakened

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

A popular seminar series on the power of proper sleeping habits will be returning in December.

The "Sleepless in Saskatchewan" workshops are offered by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's Farm Stress Unit and the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan.

The series was created in part to respond to concerns from those involved in agriculture about the impact of sleep loss due to seasonal work cycles and the stresses of farm life.

"The workshop is about gaining an understanding of the dynamics of sleep, and how to make sleep work more effectively for us," said Carol Smith with the Farm Stress Unit.

The seminar is presented by John Shearer, who has done extensive research on the effects of shift work on various categories of workers. Shearer co-founded the Carleton University Laboratory for Sleep and Chronopsychology.

He is a veteran presenter, having talked to more than 800 groups and organizations over a 28-year career, including the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Air Traffic Controllers Association, the Saskatchewan Trucking Association and numerous private corporations.

"Participants learn about reducing stress and fatigue, managing shift work and extended hours, and easy, inexpensive ways to make sleep more effective," Smith stated.

She says Shearer uses humour to make the material more interesting and easier to understand. "Having attended myself, I highly recommend it as an experience for couples."

Previous editions of the Sleepless in Saskatchewan seminars have attracted audiences that range from farmers to police officers.

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

During his "Science of Sleep" presentation, Shearer teaches about the various methods science has shown will increase what he calls "positive sleep," the kind of rest that truly helps heal and revive body and mind. The discussion also provides information on how diet can affect sleep, beyond the obvious of cutting back on caffeine intake.

"The whole point of the seminar is to learn how to get sleep to work for you," Smith said. "The goal is to sleep better to help you face your daily challenges."

The Sleepless in Saskatchewan series will begin again on December 4 in Saskatoon. Additional seminars will be scheduled in various locations throughout the winter months. As dates and locations are confirmed, an updated listing will be available through the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture website at http://www.aghealthandsafetynetwork.usask.ca/ and through Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's Connections Service Directory toll-free line at 1-866-680-0006.

For more information, contact:
Carol Smith, Connection Service Directory Co-ordinator
Farm Stress Unit, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-5114
E-mail: csmith@agr.gov.sk.ca