Being a college student is supposed to be the most fun time of your life, but it can also turn out to be one of the most stressful. When you find yourself tossing and turning, or doing jumping jacks to tire yourself out, don’t stress!
Try to create a schedule. We understand there are so many things that can pop up right around bedtime: maybe you forgot to do a homework assignment, or your friends want an impromptu wine and movie night, or the next season of your favorite show just came out on Netflix. We understand sometimes life just happens, but in the interest of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having enough energy to do all the things you need to during the day, try to go to sleep around the same time every night. This will help your body remember that night time is meant for sleep.
Switch off the lights and put your phone away. We promise it’s not impossible (we’ve heard stories of people who can do it on command), but for at least an hour before bed- put your phone away. The light from your screen actually tricks your brain into believing that it is still day time, which can lead to a harder time falling and staying asleep. However, if you find yourself struggling to put down your device, do yourself a favor and at least go into your settings to make sure you turn “night mode” on at least an hour before bed. This setting will filter out all the blue light (light that keeps you awake), so the screen will have a slight orange glow, and when you’re able to get to sleep faster you’ll be glad you did it.
Stop sleeping in on the weekends. There’s always that one friend that says, “Sorry, I can’t. I have to catch up on some sleep.” We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no such thing as catching up on sleep. In fact, if you sleep too long it’ll make you more tired and ruin your next night’s sleep as well. Just do yourself a favor and stick to a regular schedule. As tempting as it can be to hit snooze on the weekends, ultimately your body and mind will thank you for keeping your sleep schedule consistent.
No more midnight snacks. The girls over at HerCampus love midnight munchies just as much as-well, any college student. However, if you’re trying to wind your body down for the night don’t start making it do overtime by eating right before bed. If your body is worried about trying to digest food, chances are it’s not going to be easy to get some shut eye. Additionally, sweet treats like chocolate or candy can cause spikes in energy that can result in tossing and turning; so if you’ve absolutely GOT to have something, make sure it isn’t overly sugary or caffeinated.
Turn down the thermostat. It’s scientifically proven that people sleep better in colder rooms. Now, we are not recommending you freeze yourself to death. Just make sure you have plenty of blankets and some nice fuzzy socks, because it’s easier to fall asleep in a cool environment. We’ve all experienced the discomfort of kicking all your sheets off in a sweaty rage, and sleeping in a slightly cooler room can help prevent this.
Invest in some sleep aids. If no natural remedies do the trick for you, don’t be afraid to try some store bought ones. But first, you can explore non- habit forming methods like melatonin. Melatonin is a natural chemical your body makes to help you fall asleep that you can easily get at any CVS for $12 or less. Next, consider trying a weighted blanket. They’re definitely the “new fad”, and have also been cited to help with things like anxiety, but be warned they are on the pricey side so consider saving up or asking for one as a holiday gift. Lastly, we would like to bring your attention to the wonderful world of essential oils. Diffusing some lavender into the room is your best shot for a quick knockout!
Take time to wind down. Whatever “winding down” looks like for you, do that. If you relax by watching old reruns of Friends, turn down the lights and get ready for some “Joey Time.” Some people like to plan out what their next day is going to look like so they have less to worry about in the morning and can sleep longer. I personally find the minutes right before bed a good time to clear my head with meditation or journaling (sometimes both). No matter what you do just make sure you make time to decompress at the end of your day. You deserve it.
No matter how many of these tips and tricks you decide to use just remember that a good night’s sleep affects all aspects of your life. It’ll leave you feeling better and brighter in no time. Who knows, maybe you’ll become a morning person! No? Maybe that’s a stretch, but above all else just remember to get some sleep!