YES to SLEEP, rest & plenty of fluids

Dear Occupy Wall Street Protesters:

I bring you solidarity greetings as an RN (from nurses at National Nurses United), an educator and someone who supports you and what you are doing wholeheartedly. I have volunteered at the medic first aid clinic since I was called by NNU when the eviction/cleaning threat came in and frankly I am concerned about your well-being. I have a few years experience as an RN in various capacities and I would like to share some thoughts as I have treated a few too many #OWS patients suffering from excessive sleep deprivation.

Please understand this is meant as an observation of the situation of those camping in Liberty Park and as a bit of friendly nurse’s advice on how to keep things going for the long haul because I would like us (all of us 99%) to succeed. We nurses understand the concept of “heal thyself” because we tend to take care of others and ignore our own needs.

If you’ve ever paid attention to those safety videos on an airplane, they say put on your oxygen mask first so that you are able to effectively help others with their masks. If I could request that at the next meeting pls discuss how we can be healthier for the long haul to metaphorically ‘put on our own oxygen masks’. In order to do that, #OWS needs to get a decent amount of sleep if camping at Liberty (formerly Zuccotti )Park.

Please look at the links below and check to see if you may be suffering from too much sleep deprivation that is impeding your ability to function effectively.

Please read the following resources and or visit the medic first-aid station if you are not feeling well. Please ask yourself if you have signs and symptoms of sleep deprivation, fatigue, and other forms of exhaustion (with accompanying aggression/irritability/agitation/ in particular at fellow demonstrators as opposed to the target here, Wall street greed!) If you notice a friend/colleague/sleeping-bag-neighbor exhibiting this, have them get an evaluation with a medic and take necessary steps to help. I suggest:

OWS take time to sleep, rest, take a time-out from the bustle. If you need to do it in shifts, then do it. Get a buddy, they can hold the fort, while you sleep and vice versa. If a fellow demonstrator, can offer a ‘couch to crash on’ for a couple of hours, take it. And of course, thank them. Basic nursing tells us as human beings we need food, water, oxygen, elimination (ie port-o-potty’s!) and yes, plenty Rest/Sleep! (here’s my footnote to Google: Abraham Maslow)

Lack of sleep also diminishes your immunity so take note Now that we’re in full-fledged flu season.

Resources: http://www.sleeptracks.org/symptoms-of-sleep-deprivation.html http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/important-sleep-habits http://nurseweb.villanova.edu/womenwithdisabilities//sleep/slpdep.htm

Remember we are here because we believe in human need, not corporate greed. Please keep fighting the good fight and see you all out there. Be well, Rosie C. , RN