Importance of Sleep for Students

Spending your week pulling all-nighters to finish off assignments and then partying all night on the weekends - college really doesn’t leave much time for sleeping. Movies and memes have almost romanticised the idea of a sleep-deprived university student, but don’t let that allow you to forget the importance of sleep. If you’re having some trouble remembering the importance of sleep for students, allow us to remind you. 

Why is sleep important?

Understanding the importance of sleep for students cannot be overstated. An adult typically requires roughly 8-10 hours of sleep every 24 hours to function properly. While you may think that you can function just fine on 2-3 hours of sleep a day, scientifically speaking, that isn't the case. Unfortunately, sleep is often undervalued and overlooked by students who may feel that they don't have enough time to get everything done. However, sleep deprivation can lead to a number of issues such as:

• Memory issues: When you sleep, your brain uses that time to allow you to process new information and create new connections. A lack of sleep reduces this function and leads to memory issues. 
• Mood swings: The importance of sleep is also felt if you are prone to sudden mood swings. Being sleep-deprived makes you cranky and irritable and more likely to have mood swings. 
• High blood pressure: Medical professionals have often stated that the risk of having high blood pressure increases if you get less than 4-5 hours of sleep a day. 

Benefits of a good sleep

It's important to understand the significance of sleep for students, as a lack of sleep can have detrimental effects on both the mind and body. Apart from just helping you feel well-rested, sleep plays a vital role in various ways. Sometimes, a good night's sleep can be the reset that you need after a long day of classes. The importance of sleep for students cannot be understated, and it's essential to prioritize it in your daily routine. Here's a list of benefits that come with sleeping well to further emphasize the importance of sleep for students:

• Boost your immune system: If you’ve ever heard someone say, “sleep is for the weak,” they clearly have no idea what they’re talking about. Your body produces more T-cells as it sleeps and these cells help protect the body against infection. 
• Helps prevent weight gain: The importance of sleep can also be seen when it comes to maintaining your weight. A lack of sleep has been seen to affect the production of the body’s appetite-regulating hormones, meaning that you get hungrier more often and are thus more prone to putting on weight. 
• Helps improve your mood: If you’re feeling cranky or stressed after a long day of classes, it may just be because you haven’t had enough sleep. A good night’s sleep will help you reduce the amount of anxiety and stress you feel during the day. 
• Regulates your blood sugar: If your family has any history of diabetes, do not discount the importance of sleep on your health. Your blood sugar drops as you sleep, allowing your body to take some rest, if you deprive your body of this period to cool down, it can lead to adverse effects on your health.

Causes and effects of loosing sleep as students

Remember, sleep is the foundation of good health and well-being. So don't be a snooze, prioritize your Z's and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day!

Causes of Losing Sleep:

• Stress and anxiety: Worries and anxieties can keep you up at night, tossing and turning in bed instead of counting sheep. And if its exam stress hampering your sleep, then check out our blog on How to Deal With Exam Stress!
• Poor sleep habits: Staying up late to binge-watch your favorite TV show or scrolling through social media can leave you feeling like a zombie the next day.
• Medical conditions: If you have trouble sleeping despite your best efforts, it might be worth checking in with a doctor to see if there's an underlying medical issue. Do not discount the importance of sleep as a student.
• Environmental factors: Whether it's noisy neighbors, a bright streetlight shining in your window, or an uncomfortable mattress, external factors can impact the quality of your sleep.

Effects of Losing Sleep:

• Reduced cognitive function: When you're running on empty, it can be hard to keep your eyes open, let alone concentrate on a difficult task or remember important information.
• Increased risk of accidents: If you're feeling drowsy and unfocused, you're more likely to trip and fall, or worse, get into a car accident.
• Mood swings: Lack of sleep can leave you feeling irritable, grumpy, and short-tempered cancelling out the importance of sleep. In other words, you might wake up on the wrong side of the bed!
• Weakened immune system: Your body needs sleep to repair and regenerate, so if you're not getting enough rest, you may be more susceptible to getting sick.

How much sleep do students need

Getting enough sleep is important for students' physical and mental health. Lack of sleep as a student can lead to a weakened immune system, increased risk of obesity and diabetes, and impaired cognitive function. Sleep for students is important for memory consolidation and learning. When we sleep, our brain processes and consolidates the information we learned during the day, making it easier to recall and apply the next day.

A lack of sleep can negatively impact academic performance. Students who don't get enough sleep may struggle with attention, focus, and problem-solving skills, leading to poor grades and academic setbacks. Good sleep habits are essential for overall well-being. Encouraging students to establish a consistent sleep routine, avoid caffeine and electronic devices before bed, and create a comfortable sleep environment can help them get the sleep they need to thrive academically and personally.

6 Tips on How to sleep well

Now that you have a more comprehensive idea of the importance of sleep, you may be thinking, “sure a good night’s sleep would be great, but that’s impossible!” If you’re not one of those lucky few who can fall asleep as soon as they shut their eyes, we’ve got some tips on how to sleep well. 

1. Stick to a sleep schedule

The best way to ensure that you’re getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep every day is to have a sleep schedule. For some people, college is a great time for them to learn self-discipline and come up with their own routines, but for others, it can take some more time. Now that you know the importance of sleep for students, it may just be the push you need to start settling into a routine. 

2. No caffeine before bedtime

Coffee - a college student's best friend and worst enemy. But it’s essential to understand the importance of sleep for students, and the role that caffeine can play in disrupting a good night's rest.A cup of coffee in the morning or even one in the evening is fine, but if you value the importance of sleep, you will stay away from coffee before bed. Caffeine keeps you too alert and heightens your senses at a time when your body should ideally be slowing down. If you want a good night’s sleep its best to stay away from coffee before bed. 

3. Start having early dinners

College students have a habit of snacking throughout the day, so it wouldn’t be surprising if a lot of you are not really in the habit of sitting down for a proper meal every night. Having a set schedule of when to eat can help better your sleep, but you must be careful to finish your last big meal at least 2 hours before sleeping. A full stomach makes for a disturbed sleep so it's best to let your food digest before lying down. This may be a big lifestyle adjustment to make, but given the importance of sleep, it's definitely worth it. 

4. Create a bedtime routine

Establishing a consistent sleep routine is crucial for students to understand the importance of sleep and ensure that they get sufficient rest.  Incorporating a bedtime routine into your schedule is a great way to stay on track. This can consist of anything you want, like a nighttime skincare routine, meditation, some reading or listening to music before bed or it can even just be something simple like phoning home. 

5. Begin exercising regularly

Exercising daily helps your body settle itself into a routine and even helps you stick to a schedule that incorporates time for exercise, meals and sleep. It's best to exercise in the mornings rather than the evenings, so your body has time to relax. After a good workout, you’ll expend enough energy during the day that you’ll be exhausted and ready to go to bed as soon as you hit the pillow. The importance of sleep and importance of exercise go hand in hand, so you’d be reaping the benefits of both and staying extra fit! 

6. Take fewer afternoon naps

We know there’s nothing more satisfying than taking a cat nap or even a long snooze during the day, but if you value the importance of sleep, you’ll try to cut down on your naps. As hard as it may seem, cutting down on naps is a great way to ensure that you get a good 8 hours of sleep every night. Napping throughout the day will give you a few minutes of REM sleep, but not enough to ensure proper functioning. 

We hope that this blog has helped you better understand the importance of sleep as a college student. We know that university life can get hectic but you always need to make health your first priority. Try out some of our tips and we promise you’ll be one step closer to getting your sleep schedule back on track!