I know I’m not the only person burning the midnight oil on Vanderbilt’s campus- especially when it ends up being the 1 AM, 2 AM, or 3 AM oil. When I have multiple exams scheduled for the same day or I just can’t seem to write a paper that make any sense, I stay up late (and later). And let’s not forget procrastination, socialization, and other late-night activities. Whatever the agenda, sleep is always my last priority, and I pay big-time when my alarm goes off in the morning.
We all know that cutting our sleep schedules short is basically poisoning our bodies. Besides the obvious effects – under-eye circles, achy muscles, and those weird pillow creases on our faces – not getting enough sleep causes serious long-term damage. First of all, it kills your mood, and nobody likes a cranky, sleep-deprived grump in 8AM classes. It can make it extremely difficult to stay awake in class, and afterwards, it’s hard to enjoy afternoon activities. Going on a short run feels like climbing Mount Everest, and everyone – from your friends to your teachers – annoys you. Honestly, it’s time for those of us getting way below our doctor-recommended sleep hours to snap out of it.
So what’s the magical solution? In my opinion, it’s naptime. Maybe once, that meant curling up on a foam mat in the corner of a kindergarten playpen while your teacher read you Magic Tree House stories. Or maybe it’s your grandfather’s favorite activity after an afternoon glass of whiskey. But afternoon naps, to me, are a fantastic way to break up my schedule and recharge for the rest of the day. My roommate and I have made it a habit at least a couple of times a week to draw the blinds and pass out between morning classes and lunchtime. When I wake up, I always feel on top of the world.
At first, I thought there might be something wrong with my new habit, after my parents drilled in the whole “8-hours-a-night” thing. But that’s really not the case. It’s just as healthy to break it up in the day and night, at least according to my Psychology 101 professor. Even if you wake up feeling a little drowsy, the feeling soon goes away and you feel like starting a brand new (and improved) day. Let’s face it: sleep-deprived you is just not worth what freshly-napped you can contribute to the world, even if it means losing a few daylight hours. As author Carrie P. Snow once said, “No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.” So snooze away!