Sleep– a scarcity on college campuses and something we all lack. Let's be honest– how many times have we wanted to hit the sack early, but ended up binge watching Netflix until it came time to go back to class? Ok, maybe not all of us have been graced with that experience– and I wouldn't recommend it. Making it through your 8 a.m. philosophy class the next morning is practically impossible and all the coffee in the world can't help.
So, why is sleep so hard to come by when in college? I mean, let's face it– I think we can all agree that we are seriously exhausted. And if you're anything like me, we're always tired and heavily rely on coffee to keep us going during the day. So, how come a good night's sleep is always so hard to come by? It's believed that factors of poor sleeping habits come from a variety sources, such as high stress levels, brightly lit cell phone/laptop/tablet screens, and even too much caffeine. These sound completely random, but when you really think about them, they really make sense.
When you're constantly stressing over the next exam you have to take, your body is also constantly in an alert state– meaning, it is unable to relax. Studies show that stress is as bad for a person's body as second hand smoke! There are many ways to try and alleviate stress, and hopefully make for a better night's sleep. One is to schedule a few minutes every day for yourself. Whether it's just watching Netflix in bed with some candles burning, or painting your nails by yourself in your room, having some time for yourself can do wonders. You could also do yoga, or meditate to try and help your body and your mind alike relax.
Brightly lit screens also cause havoc when it comes to go to sleep. Apple recently released a feature on iPhones that will automatically dim your screen during certain hours. This is a great improvement and I believe it's definitely something to look into!
As much as no one wants to hear it, that coffee or caffeinated tea you're chugging is a huge part in why you aren't sleeping well and it might be time to cut back a bit. I'm certainly not saying to stop drinking it altogether, as I know campus would start looking more and more like a scene out of a zombie movie! But I am suggesting that you limit your caffeine intake, and especially switch to decaf once mid-afternoon hits! I finally took this piece of advice from my mom, and my sleeping habits improved on a dime! Almost immediately I felt as if my body was more willing to go to bed, and I still could make it through all my classes without dozing off.
Sleep is one of the fundamental parts of life, and without it we become irritable, grouchy creatures with the patience of a, well, I don't know what creature has a low patience level other than sleep-deprived students. But, if you feel yourself turning into one of these creatures, try following one or all of these tips, and you could be surprised by how refreshed you feel. Sleep well!
