College Students and Sleep
When it comes to college students and sleep, a good night’s rest can easily take the back seat to varying class times, demanding work schedules and busy social lives. Bumping sleep down on your priority list, however, can contribute to numerous problems that can wreak havoc on the daily life of any scholar.
Sleeping disorders such as insomnia and sleep deprivation carry many negative repercussions including memory problems, difficulty in logical reasoning, decreases in both efficiency and ability to concentrate as well as interrupted physiological processes related to both hormone function and blood pressure.
Anyone can see how these issues can pose serious threats for any college student. Closing the gap between college students and sleep disorders, however, begins with proper sleep hygiene.
Helpful Sleep Tips for College Students
The following sleep tips for college students can help you feel rested, refreshed and ready to take on the day:
- The general guideline for adequate sleep is a full 8 hours, although an individual may require as little as 5 or as many as 10 hours of sleep to feel rested and refreshed. Experiment with different times to determine the right amount of sleep for you.
- Keep alcohol consumption to a moderate level. Although alcohol may help you fall asleep, it can disrupt the sleep cycle and leave you feeling less rested the following day.
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule and try to go to bed and wake at the same time each day. Since many college students have classes at varying times, this sleep tip may be the most difficult.
- Exercise regularly for a higher percentage of deep sleep and fewer awakenings throughout the night. Try to avoid exercising just before bed, as your body requires some time to cool down.
- Limit caffeine within 4 hours of bedtime as it can contribute to insomnia and sleep disruption.
- Supplement B-complex vitamins into your diet as these enhance restful sleep and reduce fatigue.
- Set realistic goals to achieve throughout the day. Research on college students and sleep shows that perfectionists and worriers have more trouble sleeping at night thinking about things they failed to accomplish during the day.
Disclaimer: These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult your physician regarding any sleeping disorders.
