2008 Woodie Awards
How to get enough sleep on a college student's schedule
Elizabeth Van Osten
Issue date: 10/24/06 Section: Features
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College life presents a plethora of new temptations that may throw off the normal routine of a young adult. Going from a more solid regime throughout high school, to an exciting environment and hectic schedule at college can have an effect on the body. Not feeling well within your first few weeks of college could have something to do with your new lifestyle and habits.
Getting sleep is one of the changes you may have made to your schedule in an effort to finish up homework or cram for tests. The thing you may not realize is how you are changing yourself by sacrificing those few hours of shut-eye.
Sleep helps your body fight fatigue and stress, so when you get those late night headaches, your best bet is to succumb to slumber. If you're prone to headaches, you might not want to oversleep however, as doing so will actually make things worse. Doctors say most adults need roughly seven to nine hours of sleep a night. How does a college kid do such a thing? These tips from the Mayo Clinic will get you snoozing in no time.
Keep regular sleeping hours: Going to sleep and waking up at the same times, all the time, will help to regulate how you sleep and enhance the quality of your sleep.
Napping: Although it is tempting to lie down between classes, don't nap for more than 15 to 30 minutes during the day; doing so will interfere with your full night of sleep.
Exercise: As if there weren't enough benefits to exercising, it makes you sleep better too! Regular physical activity makes you fall asleep faster and provides a more restful sleep. Waiting until bedtime to exercise, however, will only make the process even more difficult.
Unwind: Don't stay online chatting until all hours of the night, as the light will keep your brain awake. Try reading or listening to music to wind down and relax.
What you eat: Don't stuff yourself before bed; a light snack is fine, but a big meal may cause heartburn. Alcohol will aggravate a headache and keep you from staying asleep. Caffeine and nicotine will also interfere with your sleep.
Getting sleep is one of the changes you may have made to your schedule in an effort to finish up homework or cram for tests. The thing you may not realize is how you are changing yourself by sacrificing those few hours of shut-eye.
Sleep helps your body fight fatigue and stress, so when you get those late night headaches, your best bet is to succumb to slumber. If you're prone to headaches, you might not want to oversleep however, as doing so will actually make things worse. Doctors say most adults need roughly seven to nine hours of sleep a night. How does a college kid do such a thing? These tips from the Mayo Clinic will get you snoozing in no time.
Keep regular sleeping hours: Going to sleep and waking up at the same times, all the time, will help to regulate how you sleep and enhance the quality of your sleep.
Napping: Although it is tempting to lie down between classes, don't nap for more than 15 to 30 minutes during the day; doing so will interfere with your full night of sleep.
Exercise: As if there weren't enough benefits to exercising, it makes you sleep better too! Regular physical activity makes you fall asleep faster and provides a more restful sleep. Waiting until bedtime to exercise, however, will only make the process even more difficult.
Unwind: Don't stay online chatting until all hours of the night, as the light will keep your brain awake. Try reading or listening to music to wind down and relax.
What you eat: Don't stuff yourself before bed; a light snack is fine, but a big meal may cause heartburn. Alcohol will aggravate a headache and keep you from staying asleep. Caffeine and nicotine will also interfere with your sleep.
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