Most college students wish they logged more sleep at night. When you are busy studying for finals, juggling a part-time job or taking a much needed night out with friends, sleep can be hard to come by.
Liz Kocon, health educator at Watkins Memorial Health Center says not getting enough sleep can lead to various health issues including a lowered immune system. And nobody likes to be sick, especially around test time.
Kocon says the amount of sleep each person needs varies, but doctors recommend between seven and nine hours of sleep. Kocon said if you are feeling sluggish or find that you need caffeine to get through the day, then you need more sleep.
“It’s very important to know your body,” Kocon said.
Try these easy tips to get a better night’s rest tonight.
• Get into a routine of going to bed at the same time every night.
• Avoid exercising for three hours before bedtime.
• Avoid drinking caffeine for three hours before bedtime.
• Go to bed with the TV off, music off, window closed, and in the pitch dark.
If you find yourself not able to fall asleep, try some deep breathing. Kocon said you want to get your heart rate in a calm, rhythmic pattern.
If you are the type that gets hungry during the night, try to eat a bedtime snack such as peanut butter on toast. Peanut butter helps eliminate hunger through the night.