Some people like to say that I sleep an ungodly amount of hours, or that I spend too much time in my bed and need to sleep less. People like to think that there is something wrong with me because I sleep so much. The fact of the matter is that I just really love sleep. I really, really love sleep.

Now, I am sure that most college kids can relate to me and my love for sleep. Us college kids live busy lives, having to balance school, jobs, a social life, and extracurricular groups or activities like being in Greek life. There never seems to be enough hours in the day for college kids to do everything that we want to do along with the things that we have to do. We wear ourselves thin until we reach a breaking point. Then, when this point comes, the only thing that one can do to rebuild themselves is to hide away from life and sleep. At least, in my mind this is the case. It’s worked so far for me.

When any problem arises, my solution is always to sleep. If I got a bad grade, I take a nap. Did you get in a fight with someone who you care about? Go to bed for the day/night. Are you sick? Go right ahead and not leave bed for at least a day. Odds are good that, when you wake up, the problem that you were trying to escape from will not look as bad. Sleep really is a great thing in this world of ours.

I use sleep not only as a re-energizer, but I also use it as an escape. While some people use drugs, alcohol, or other bad habits to escape from their world and their problems, I use sleep. Now, I know that I must always deal with my problems at some point and handle what is going on in my life. But, before I take on any issue head on, a nap (or twenty) is a must. Sleep is truly always the only one who is there 100 percent of the time when a crisis arises (minus my mother, of course).

Sometimes I like to pick sleep over hanging out with actual human beings. In fact, this seems to happen pretty often. The number of times that I have responded to a text with the response of “sorry I was sleeping” is probably a sickening number. I don’t think of myself as an antisocial person, I just know that sleep is my one true love, so I must devote many hours to it. I wouldn’t want sleep to think that I am picking other people over it. That just wouldn’t be fair to sleep after all it has given me.

Now, to the people who think that taking so many naps and sleeping so much isn’t healthy, here are some of the benefits of taking naps. Naps have psychological benefits because they are an easy way to relax and go on a mini vacation. Who doesn’t love a free vacation? Naps also help to increase one’s alertness and can enhance one’s performance during activities. Naps also help to save money. Instead of buying coffee three times a day to stay awake, take three naps a day. Your problem has been solved. Go ahead, take that nap and avoid all responsibility for a little while. It really won’t hurt that much and, in fact, it may end up helping you in the long run.

Haters are going to hate, but if you’re sleeping, they can’t bother you. If you need to find me, I’m probably sleeping.