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Waking Up to the Benefits of Sleep
Copyright 2005 Linda Slater Dowling
At one time or another, we've all wished that there were 48
hours in a day. Sometimes it feels like we need at least that
long just to get everything, from work to studying to
socializing and relaxing, done. College students, in particular,
struggle to fit their busy schedules into a "normal" day, and to
do it often end up sacrificing the last thing they should: their
sleep.
As you likely know, juggling classes and a social life is not
easy. Add to that the pressures of getting all "A's," working
part-time (or even full-time) to help pay your tuition, and
getting involved in other campus activities, and it's no wonder
that many college kids report getting to bed at 3 a.m. on a
regular basis.
Generation Y is Really Tired
A 2000 poll by the National Sleep Foundation found some
startling facts about the nation's 18-29-year-olds, which
includes some of Generation Y. A full 33 percent of those polled
said they suffered from significant daytime sleepiness, making
them as sleepy as shift workers. But that's not all. The poll
also found that:
55 percent of young adults reported waking up feeling
"unrefreshed." 53 percent said they will sleep less to get more
done. 55 percent postponed bedtime to watch TV or use the
Internet. 40 percent reported feeling sleepy at work or school
two days a week or more. 60 percent reported having driven while
drowsy in the past year.
Not surprisingly, all that sleepiness had increasing numbers of
kids and young adults reaching for prescription sleep aids.
Since 2000, the number of 10- to 19-year-olds who use such drugs
has increased 85 percent, and spending has jumped 223 percent!
Why Sleep is So Important
Some side effects of not sleeping enough are obvious. It becomes
hard to concentrate and make decisions (You may have read
the
same paragraph four times and still not know what it said, for
instance), and you become irritable, forgetful and just plain
crabby.
Other effects can be more serious and may not surface right
away. Not enough sleep has been linked to:
A weakened immune system Cancer Heart disease Obesity Diabetes
Tips for a Healthy Sleep Schedule
Though the term "sleep schedule" may sound strange, you may find
it helpful to "schedule" sleep into your day just like any other
activity. Once the time is set aside, don't give in to the
temptation to budge it for studying, cleaning, TV ... anything!
If you find that you have trouble sleeping even when you've set
aside the time for it, try these tips for a great night of ZZZZs
from the National Sleep Foundation.
Make sleep a priority. Try napping during the day (but not for
too long or too close to bedtime). Make your room sleep-friendly
by keeping it cool, quiet and dark. You may want to invest in
some comfy bedding, like an organic wool comforter, which makes
sleeping incredibly cozy. Avoid consuming caffeine too close to
your bedtime. Alcohol and nicotine can also keep you up at
night. Don't drive while you're tired. This is comparable to
driving drunk! Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time
every day. Create a bedtime ritual that you find relaxing. This
could include reading a book, taking a bath, journaling or any
other routine that helps you calm down at the end of the day.
About the author:
Linda Slater Dowling, a certified natural health professional,
is CEO & founder of the Nutritional Institute, home of the new
STUDENT FORMULA Natural Health Products. For a FREE e-book on
"Eating Right on a Budget" visit their Web site at
http://www.studentformula.com . You may also want to sign up for
their popular "Be Smart, Be Healthy, Be Natural" e-newsletter.
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