Sleep, it’s defined as a naturally recurring state of mind characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles, and reduced interactions with surroundings. As human beings we need sleep to allow our body and our brain the chance to recharge and reboot from a long day of work and other activities. Sleep helps to improve our immune systems, out digestive systems, and our respiratory systems, as they recharge in our sleep.
The average American adult needs to get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep per night. While this may be what we need, on average, adults are only getting approximately 7 hours of sleep per night. In addition to that, college and high school students need approximately 10 hours of sleep per night but we only receive about 6 hours a night. As college students, we often lack sleep because we lead very busy lifestyles. Between work, class, homework, meals times, and extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports we often times forget to prioritize sleep despite the fact that our bodies need it to be successful.
A wicked good friend of mine went through high school with the motto “Sleep is for the weak and I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” She is the one who gave me the idea for the title of this article, as well as the inspiration to write it. She graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class and is currently making a name for herself at the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT.
Although she did not receive much sleep in high school and is receiving even less sleep now that she is in college I find that the older we get, the more that we need sleep to perform to the best of our abilities. As college students we do not always prioritize sleep and make it our main concern, because we are just so busy all the time. This semester, I have decided to make it my priority to get more sleep in order to be a happier, healthier, and better functioning person. So far, the past week of spring semester has been spent establishing a routine for my day to day life. This routine includes going to bed and waking up around the same time everyday, making to-do lists, and prioritizing assignments.
Here are some tips to help you get enough sleep every night.
Caffeine Intake
Caffeine has different ways of affecting people. Some can drink it and not feel its affects and others can drink a single cup of coffee and be up for days at a time. In order to limit the affects of caffeine on your body, be sure to stop consuming it by late afternoon. This goes for all caffeinated drinks including coffee, energy drinks, tea, etc.
Procrastination at its Finest
Now I procrastinate like the best of them, but what I find helpful is to find a study spot, make a to-do list of all current and long-term assignments, and to dedicate a significant amount of time to completing them. It may be hard to start your homework early sometimes, especially with all the distractions that is college, but you will be thanking yourself when you are soundly asleep in bed as opposed to pulling an all-nighter in the library trying to finish that term paper that was assigned a month ago.
Routine, Routine, Routine
Creating a bedtime routine is probably one of the best ways to ensure you get enough sleep. If you go to bed at the same time every night your body begins to expect it and it will make it easier to get the sleep that you need. Set yourself a hard bedtime and don’t mess around with it.
College can be hard sometimes but getting enough sleep will make it so much easier to succeed.
