Sleep and Rest Program

Specialty Program Overview

Ohio University benefits-eligible employees and their spouses/partners are invited to participate in cohort-based specialty programming aimed at supporting healthy habits.

The Sleep and Rest program began as a pilot in fall 2024, opening to all eligible employees in January 2025. Additional details about this program are provided below.

In addition to the sleep/rest programming, employees/spouses/partners can also participate in Risk Reduction, Mindful Eating and Practical Nutrition.

Program Overview

The 2024 Well-being Needs and Interest survey revealed that inadequate sleep is a health and well-being concern among employees at Ohio University. Further investigation revealed that, in many cases, individuals felt that the only options available to them were either expensive medical intervention such as sleep studies or short-term sleep medication. This program aims to highlight additional sleep intervention options available.

Throughout this 6-week course, participants will hear from local experts on a variety of topics in relationship to sleep. Participants will be asked to engage in self-reflection through a self-assessment and some gentle sleep journaling. These reflection opportunities will allow participants to better identify the interventions that may work best for their well-being. During the final session, participants will determine if they have seen any improvements in their sleep and, if they are still struggling, learn about how to find medical intervention through University benefits.

Weekly Schedule:

Week One: Sleep and Rest Basics, Self-Assessment and Sleep Hygiene
Week Two: Movement
Week Three: Nutrition
Week Four: Mental Health and Cognition
Week Five: Over the Counter Interventions
Week Six: Reflection and Next Steps

Additional Details

New cohorts of the program will form each January and September.
If a cohort is filled, a waiting list will be posted on the website. Those on the waiting list will be alerted of registration the following semester during a one week priority period before being shared publicly.
Participants will be expected to meet weekly for six weeks (60 minute virtual meetings), complete a self-assessment, establish goals and spend time each day addressing those goals.
Eligibility will be verified upon registration. If a registrant is not eligible, they will be removed from the program and their slot will open up. If eligible, they will be added to a team in Microsoft Teams.
All course materials will be available on Microsoft Teams.
This program is offered at no cost to benefits-eligible employees and their spouses/partners thanks to support from Human Resources.

Registration

Registration for the Spring 2025 cohort is now open. Click the link below to register (employees: use SSO to log-in to the member portal).
The Spring 2025 cohort will meet on Thursdays via Teams at 12:00 p.m. from January 30 - March 6.