For the month of May, the Better Sleep Council (BSC) is sponsoring Better Sleep Month in order to help raise awareness across the nation about the importance of sleep.
According to BSC’s Web site, BetterSleep.org, “over 70 percent of college students surveyed this year reported getting less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night.”
Many would find this unsurprising, given the fact that many students are preparing themselves for finals and cramming in last-minute projects before the end of the semester.
Staying up all night to finish that paper may seem like a good idea at first, but according to SleepNet, if a person does not get enough rest each night, he or she may feel tired, cranky or depressed; it may also be hard to follow directions or do well on a test the next day.
“I have tried to stay up all night to finish papers or to study for a test a number of times, but every time, I can never make it through the whole day because I can’t focus or pay attention,” said marketing major Alicia Wheeler. “I always end up doing poorly on the test or missing something important that was discussed in class.”
Over time, lack of sleep can also impair one’s physical health and emotional well-being, causing the person to be more susceptible to illnesses and mood swings, according to BetterSleep.org.
“Every time I don’t get enough sleep, I am always irritable the next day,” said engineering major Corrin Reed. “Things that would normally never bother me get on my nerves.”
However, staying up all night to study isn’t the only thing that is affecting sleep across the nation. According to AmbienCR.com, many other things are contributing to sleep deprivation, including sleep disorders, poor sleep habits, stress and even an uncomfortable bed.
Tips to Getting More Sleep
- Determine your sleep requirements: Find out how much sleep you need a night to be fully alert the next day. Most adults need between seven to nine hours a sleep each night.
- Reduce noise: Keep your bedroom noise level at a minimum to create an ideal and relaxed environment. The BSC suggests removing your television and/or radio from the bedroom.
- Create a comfortable bed: Evaluate your mattress and determine whether or not it is giving you the support and comfort needed to gain a good night’s sleep.
- Engage in pre-bedtime relaxation: Engage yourself in a relaxing and non-alerting activity before bedtime, such as reading, to calm your body and to help you sleep better.
- Develop a bedtime ritual: If possible, try to keep the same routine each night just before bed in order to signal your body to settle down for the night.
- Put the food away: Finish eating at least two to three hours before your regular bedtime.
- Exercise regularly: It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
- Avoid nicotine: (e.g. cigarettes and other tobacco products). If they are used close to bedtime, they can lead to poor sleep.
- Stay away from caffeine: (e.g. coffee, tea, energy drinks, sodas, chocolate). They can all keep you awake.
– Source: Better Sleep Council
