In addition to studying, reading material for class and writing papers, most college students have a lot of other responsibilities including extracurricular activities, family, or work. For your health and continued academic success, you need to be well rested. Staying up all night in the library pumping yourself full of caffeine may seem like a good short-term solution, but it's not a good long term plan for doing well in school. The average college student needs between 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.
The Harvard Women's Health Watch reports that chronic sleep loss can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and a decrease in the immune system's power.
Here are 6 reasons why sleep is so important:
1. Keeping your Circadian rhythm in balance
Your Circadian rhythm is affected by light and darkness in your environment, and plays a big part in your sleep regulation. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences says,"Circadian rhythms can influence sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, eating habits and digestion, body temperature and other important bodily functions".
2. Learning and memory
While you sleep, your brain takes new information you've learned and transfers it to your long-term memory. The American Psychological Association said this happens most often during REM sleep - six to eight hours into your sleep cycle. Getting the right amount of sleep will help you reach that REM state and help your brain store information in your long term memory.
3. Metabolism and weight
Sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.
4. Mood
Getting a good night's sleep leaves your mind better prepared for daily events. "Students who work or study long hours may not get enough sleep at night. As a result, they may be sleepy and sluggish during the day and have trouble concentrating, participating in class, taking tests or making decisions," according to the CDC. Sleep loss may also result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness.
5. Cardiovascular health
Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure), increased stress hormone levels, and an irregular heartbeat.
6. Disease
Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body's killer cells that destroy infected or cancerous cells, leaving you more susceptible to disease.
All information taken from Georgia State University- The Effects of Rest on College Students: Are You Getting Enough Sleep?, and Southern New Hampshire University: How Much Sleep Do College Students Need?
Stay tuned for ways that college students can improve their sleep in next week's Weekly Wellness Tip #3!
XOXO, Sophie
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