Sleep Is the Missing Piece of Recovery? | Nurse Sarah Jeffries on Sleep, Addiction & Healing
What if sleep is one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of recovery?
On this episode of SleepTech Talk, we sit down with Sarah Jeffries, RN, BSN, MSN, an ER nurse, nurse educator, and sleep health advocate, for a wide-ranging conversation about why sleep needs to be treated as an essential part of recovery—not an optional extra.
Sarah shares what she learned firsthand as an ER nurse: sacrificing her own sleep didn’t make her a better healthcare provider. In fact, getting adequate sleep was essential to being fully present and effective for her patients.
We also explore the connection between sleep and addiction, including how problematic pornography use can interfere with sleep and why addressing the underlying addiction may be an important part of recovery.
And Sarah brings a unique personal perspective to the conversation as the wife of Olympic bronze-medal boxer Tony Jeffries. Through his athletic career and recovery, she has seen firsthand just how important sleep can be for physical and mental performance.
We discuss:
• Why sleep is essential for virtually every kind of recovery
• What Sarah learned about sleep while working in the ER
• Why healthcare professionals need to prioritize their own sleep
• The connection between addiction, pornography use, and sleep
• Why sleep should be part of the conversation around recovery from CTE and brain injury
• What athletes can teach us about sleep and recovery
• Sarah’s personal experience supporting an Olympic boxer
• Why better sleep may be one of the most powerful recovery tools we have
Sleep isn't just what happens when recovery stops. Sleep is part of recovery.
About Sarah Jeffries
Sarah Jeffries, RN, BSN, MSN, is a registered nurse, nurse educator, and sleep health educator with experience in emergency-room nursing. She has dedicated much of her work to helping people better understand the importance of sleep and overall health.
Check out Sarah’s YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/@NurseSarahJeffries
A huge thanks to our sponsors:
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Discover how F&P full-face masks have led millions of people to a great night’s sleep at https://www.fphcare.com/curiosity
https://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/
Philips Healthcare
See how Philips is supporting you and your patients with meaningful innovation. Visit https://www.philips.com/matters
Soliish
https://www.soliish.com/
React Health
https://www.reacthealth.com/
myWaves
https://mywaves.tech/
More resources for clinicians can be found at Sleep Review Magazine
https://sleepreviewmag.com/
Credits:
Audio/ Video: Diego R Mannikarote; Music: Pierce G Mannikarote
Hosts: J. Emerson Kerr, Robert Miller, Gerald George Mannikarote
Copyright: ⓒ 2026 SleepTech Talk Productions
Episode 129
The views and opinions expressed by guests on SleepTech Talk are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or SleepTech Talk as a whole. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.
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