If you are the average college student, you probably love sleep as much as the next person. Unfortunately, if you are the average college student, sleep can be hard to come by. We tend to keep ourselves busy with school, work and the everyday stressors college students encounter.
I myself am a night owl, meaning that I prefer to stay up late rather than getting up early. This lifestyle has become a norm for many college students, but is it the healthiest, most efficient way of living?
We are so busy in our everyday lives that we tend to forget that sleep is as essential as food and water. Most of the time, we either get too little or too much sleep. Either factor can be detrimental to our health. Studies have shown that the recommended amount of sleep for adults is about seven to nine hours of sleep a night. As your fellow college student, I can attest that this is difficult to come by.
Without sleep, our brain and bodies cannot function as effectively compared to a good night’s rest. Lack of sleep can result in an increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and even a heart attack. It can affect the way we think and perceive things and can even result in hallucinations. As college students, we need to have a clear head and be able to concentrate and focus.
Finding a sleep schedule that works for you can be complicated. To make sure that you are on the right track with a healthy sleep schedule, you can set a designated time to go to bed and wake up. If you follow this routine, your body will adapt to this set schedule and will be beneficial to your health in the long run.
If you drink caffeine, be sure to avoid drinking it around bedtime. Caffeine is a stimulant and can hinder your sleep schedule. If you find yourself struggling to sleep, get up and move around. It is better to keep yourself busy than to try to lay in bed and fight the urge to stay awake.
We need to remember that sleep is an essential part of life and overall health. Find a sleep schedule that works for you and stick with it.
