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332nd EMDG starts sleep course

By Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards, 407th Air Expeditionary Group / Published February 11, 2018

A Sailor raises his hand in response to a question during a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group sleep enhancement class at the base clinic in an undisclosed location Feb. 7. The Mental Health section runs the class every Wednesday at 2 p.m. for all service members and base contractors who want to learn tips on improving sleep, common myths about sleep, and individualized sleep plans and recommendations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards/Released)
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A Sailor raises his hand in response to a question during a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group sleep enhancement class at the base clinic in an undisclosed location Feb. 7. The Mental Health section runs the class every Wednesday at 2 p.m. for all service members and base contractors who want to learn tips on improving sleep, common myths about sleep, and individualized sleep plans and recommendations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards/Released)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 407th Air Expeditionary Group hosted a sleep enhancement class for the new rotation Feb. 7.

The Mental Health section runs the class every Wednesday at 2 p.m. for all service members and base contractors who want to improve their quality and quantity of sleep.

“The sleep enhancement class is a 30 to 60 minute class that provides tools and techniques to help individuals who are not getting their optimal sleep or individuals who would just like to improve their sleep quality,” said Capt. Alexis Fletes, 332nd EMDG Clinical Health psychologist. “We go over helpful tips on improving sleep, common myths about sleep, individualized sleep plans and recommendations, and follow ups if needed to maximize your sleep while you are here.”

Fletes started the class after picking up on a trend of deployed service members.

“I started noticing a large number of individuals who were having problems adjusting to deployment and who were experiencing sleep problems due to common errors or myths about their behaviors around bedtime,” she said.

A couple of the myths covered in the class are that everyone needs at least eight hours of sleep to feel refreshed and that people typically sleep the same throughout their life.

“I came to the class to help my roommate learn how to sleep better,” said Senior Airman Kennith Hopkins, 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. “I hope to learn some good things.”

The Mental Health section also offers deployed members individual 30 minute sessions for a number of things including: relationship problems, tobacco cessation, problems at work, difficulties with deployment, stress management and more.

“We can also come out to the units and provide any of the information at either a special class within the unit or at a commander's call,” said Fletes. “We are also going to be starting a stress management class and tobacco session class in the future, so look for that.”

For more information about the classes or to set up an appointment with Mental Health, please contact 454-6835.