Since the spring semester started two weeks ago, I've developed a horrible habit of not sleeping. That's right—just not sleeping. I commute to school, and I take an 8 a.m. class—you know what that means? Yup. I'm getting ready at four in the morning every day. Considering the fact that my sleep schedule over break was from around six in the morning to three in the afternoon, it's been a hard adjustment.
But I have managed to survive it with the help of someone really special. She's giving and calm and always right there when I need it. I call her "Nap Time." Here are some of my tricks to a successful nap.
1. Don't stress yourself out over sleep.
I know on the days I have to wake up, once it hits one in the morning, I'm done. If I'm still up (I always am), I spend the next three hours thinking about how I have to wake up in three, two, one hour... And that anxiety is what keeps me from getting the sleep I could have had. Don't stress if you aren't sleeping. Just put your phone down and close your eyes. Lying down and resting helps lower your blood pressure and makes you feel more relaxed.
Besides, who hasn't fallen asleep in class once or twice?
2. Short naps are useful!
Take advantage of any time you have. I have 15 minutes in between my classes, and it usually takes me 10 to travel between buildings. I use my extra five minutes to put my head down on my desk and let myself rest until the professor starts talking. Believe it or not, I usually feel pretty refreshed after and have none of the post-nap grogginess.
3. Don't nap too late.
Try to wake up from all your naps at least five hours before the time you plan to go to bed, so you'll be able to fall back asleep.
4. Drink your coffee before quick naps!
If you plan to take a 20-30 minute nap, drink coffee first. It takes about 20-30 minutes for the caffeine to set in, so you'll wake up feeling even more refreshed.
5. Does it count as being a hypocrite if I know I'm wrong when I do it?
Avoid all-nighters! Avoid them! Do you hear me? Do not do this! Nobody wins from this! Nobody! Not you, not the people you interact with when you're cranky and tired, not the Queen of England. Barack Obama wants you to sleep tonight. I don't care how many tests you have tomorrow—go to bed. Take small 20-minute naps in between studying, fine. But get some sleep in. Not sleeping to study can reduce your retention ability by 40 percent. Go take a nap. You deserve it.
6. Finally, ignore people that think napping is lazy.
It's actually pretty healthy as long as you're doing it in moderation. Napping is good for your brain, your heart and your soul. There's this crazy idea, and I don't know if it's heightened with our generation or just has always been there, but it's this need to keep going. Sign up for more clubs, take extra courses, get that third job; every free minute of thought and reflection is seen as wasted.
You don't have to be productive every second of the day. Sometimes you just need to take care of yourself.
