We all have felt some sort of tiredness at school. It’s that feeling of your eyes being so heavy in class, listening to a long lecture or even just feeling like you are about to fall asleep any time of the day. It turns out that sleep is a crucial part of actively being in school. Many of us stay up super late, into the early morning, and end up barely getting enough sleep. Sleep has been proven to improve concentration, memory and creativity. It also highly correlates with our attendance at school and the grades we get.
Insufficient sleep can lead to difficulties in learning, behavioral issues and increased health risks. According to the National Sleep Foundation, it has been said that teenagers aged 14-17 need 10 hours of sleep a night. For younger adults aged 18-25, the range for sleep is anywhere from seven to nine hours.
Getting enough sleep also plays a powerful influence on mental health. A consistent sleep schedule helps regulate your mood, reducing the risks of anxiety and depression. When the brain doesn’t get enough sleep, it starts to get harder to manage stress and emotions. For all the student athletes out there, getting a sufficient amount of sleep strengthens the immune system and betters your ability to play sports.
Sleep deprivation is definitely a concern and the consequences of it are even bigger. According to the CDC, staying awake for 18 hours can have the same effect as a blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent. If you are well rested, you will experience less daytime drowsiness and fatigue. It has been proven that getting more sleep improves your memory and ability to study material to then remember later on.
Tips for getting enough sleep as a student:
Limit your caffeine intake before bed. Avoid screens within an hour before you go to sleep. Establish a good sleep schedule, make it consistent. (At least 8 hours) Engage in daily physical activity, but avoid anything extensive within the last 2 hours before bed. And manage your time (save time for sleep → get homework done earlier → don’t procrastinate).
