In our world of instant information and constant connection, the fact that sleep is an important and necessary component to our daily lives is not some hidden, well-kept secret.  We must admit that we know, now more than ever, that a good night’s sleep is an absolute vital part of our existence, and yet all too often we cheat ourselves on a good night’s rest.   With so many demands on our time and our on-the-go lifestyle, our attempt to fit it all into the confines of the day often results in sacrificing sleep.   However, this sacrifice often leads to the development of a detrimental pattern of a lack of the deep, restorative slumber necessary for our bodies’ ability to function effectively and efficiently, for its optimum health and for our overall well-being. The average adult experiences sleeplessness on occasion, but more Americans are suffering from on-going sleep disturbances and nightly wakefulness more than ever, and the numbers appear to be on the rise.  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) currently estimates between 50-70 million adults in America have sleep disorders, and about 1/3 of all US adults get fewer than 7 hours of restful sleep each night.  The NIH body of research outlines the number of adverse health effects that chronic sleep disturbance/loss can result in over time.  Sleep maintains a strong link to learning and memory, to emotional response and our perception, and to our reflexes and reactions, but it is not just essential for brain function and mood.  Sleep has a direct effect on every organ and tissue and in our bodies; it affects cell-growth, our immune system, our stress hormone response, our appetite and metabolism, and our breathing and blood pressure, as well as our overall cardiovascular health.  The facts can be somewhat overwhelming, even staggering, but the message is loud and clear; inconsistent sleep patterns pose a threat to our health, plain and simple. On some level, we can all relate to the haze that becomes our day after a sleepless night and to the opposite, yet positive and invigorating, effect of a good night’s sleep; although the root causes of either might be as unique as the individual, the experiences are universal.  Even without exploring all of the sleep research and information available, it is likely we can agree on the general conclusion, based on instinct or even personal experience, that good sleep patterns foster better health while inconsistent sleep, sleeplessness and/or sleep deprivation can lead to poorer health over time.  There is no disputing that we simply feel better when we are well-rested and that we are quick to recognize the sluggishness resulting from a restless night. Now, imagine for a moment just how necessary the regenerative/restorative effects of a consistently good night’s sleep can have on those whose circumstances are not so average.  If the fact remains that rest and good sleep are of vital importance for the average adult, how much more important are rest and good sleep for those who face current health issues and/or illness?  If consistently sleeping well can foster better body function and facilitate healing, is it not more important for those facing illness to get good sleep, particularly patients who are in the treatment and recovery stage of illness?  How effective the treatment and how quickly one recovers is directly related to one’s ability to achieve good rest and a consistent and healthy sleep pattern during the recovery process.  So, how can we help those who need it most? Coupled with the general knowledge about the importance of good sleep, it is precisely this line of questioning that brought about our innovative solution – the Poppy Pocket -- for one particular group of patients in need, those whose treatment includes the use of a portable infusion pump.  The Poppy Pocket was inspired by a very personal experience and borne from the overwhelming helplessness aroused by watching a loved-one who, while receiving ambulatory chemotherapy, struggled to achieve the rest and restorative sleep necessary to healing while attempting to overcome the additional challenges created by the use of a cumbersome infusion pump and its entangling array of wires.  The contour body design of the Poppy Pocket was created to contain an infusion pump (or other medical device) and its tubes comfortably, securely and discreetly beneath the patient’s clothes in order to restore a level of normalcy and ease in navigating through the day, to diminish treatment-related anxiety, and to enhance the patient’s ability to establish healthier sleep patterns that can foster healing and recovery.   Available in a variety of sizes, the physician-endorsed Poppy Pocket works with a variety of infusion pumps/medical devices; it is adaptable and flexible, affordable and durable, machine washable, and the Poppy Pocket promises to enhance the ease of mobility during treatment while helping to provide patients with consistent, better nights’ sleep.  Not yet convinced?  Perhaps, you should sleep on it.