Webinar Overview:
Sleep is a foundational biological process that directly affects cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and decision-making. In high-responsibility professional settings, chronic sleep deprivation can impair judgment, increase error rates, and reduce the ability to manage stress effectively.
This webinar provides an evidence-based overview of sleep science and its relevance to professional practice. Participants will be introduced to the sleep cycle and the physiological processes that occur during each stage of sleep, followed by an examination of how insufficient or poor-quality sleep affects mood, attention, memory, and overall well-being. The session also considers broader cultural and workplace factors that contribute to chronic sleep deprivation, supported by case studies demonstrating the economic and organizational impacts of sleep loss.
A focused segment examines the relationship between sleep and stress, including how sleep deprivation alters the stress response and degrades cognitive performance under pressure. Key distinctions – such as sleepiness versus fatigue, and sleep quality versus sleep quantity – are clarified. The seminar also addresses common sleep disruptors, including caffeine, alcohol, melatonin, and behavioural patterns such as revenge bedtime procrastination.
The session concludes with practical, evidence-informed strategies to support better sleep, including relaxation techniques, cognitive and behavioural tools, stimulus control, and sleep hygiene practices. A moderated question-and-answer period will follow, with questions addressed live or in post-session materials.
Seminar Presenters:
Marlee Boyle, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT); Certified in Clinical Sleep Health; BSc Biology
Marlee has spent more than 10 years working as a Respiratory Therapist and transitioned to sleep therapy in 2014, becoming one of only nine therapists in Canada certified in clinical sleep health. Her specialties include sleep disordered breathing (obstructive sleep apnea) and treating insomnia though Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Marlee’s goal is to change the culture of sleeplessness in the workforce, to minimize accidents, as well as promote individuals to take control of their health and wellness by making a sleep a priority in their lives.
Leah Corkum, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); Sleep Therapist; BA Psychology
Leah has been working in the healthcare sector for 10 years as an LPN. Leah, being a shift worker herself, has led the development of shift worker education and strategy for Sleep Works with the goal of mitigating the effects of sleep deprivation. Leah is focused on preventative healthcare and education that supports positive sleep behaviour. Her goal is to improve the daily lives and futures of her clients through the benefits of healthy sleep. Leah completed the Family Sleep Institute Child Sleep Consultant Certification program and has been a Certified Child Sleep Consultant since 2019.
Registration Fee: $86.50 ($75.00 + HST) HST # R108086463
To register for this seminar, please click here.
CPD Credit: 1 hour