The Importance of Sleep for Students

Importance of Sleep for Students

What are the Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep for Students

How can Students Get the Most out of their Sleep

An article by David Klose, Editor in Chief at SavvySleeper.org

Sleep for Students

It’s no secret that developing students need more sleep than a fully grown adult. Unfortunately, school can consume a large portion of a child’s life and that doesn’t include any extra-curricular activities or hobbies. The CDC has even found that 73% of high-schoolers are sleep deprived (8-10 hours recommended). This lack of sleep can lead to decreased health and performance in the classroom.

What are the benefits of a good night's sleep for students?

Brain Health: Studies show that lack of sleep negatively affects our memory, even as soon as the next day. Thus, when one stays up late to cram for an exam, they could potentially be harming themselves and their grade
Nutritious Food Choices: The more tired we are the more likely we are to choose sugary, fatty foods, which also do not promote sleep. This can be an unhealthy cycle. A study showed children are at a higher risk of obesityif they miss out on REM sleep.
Boosted Immunity: As we sleep, our bodies release proteins that work to suppress infection, inflammation, and stress. Missing out on deep sleep can causes students to be sick more often.
Better Mental Health: Today, there is an alarming rate of increased depression in children and adolescents. It has been found that a lack of sleep led to increased feelings of depression and hopelessness. There are likely a lot of reasons for this increase, but it seems enough sleep is a key to better mental wellness.

How Can students Get the most out of their sleep?

Naps: Naps have been shown to help overall student health and performance. The results showed that the sweet spot is right around 10-20 minutes. Although, naps over 30 minutes showed to lower awareness. So, don’t overdo it!
Monitor Caffeine Consumption: Caffeine makes us more alert, but having some before bed can throw off our cycle. Try limiting any consumption to at least 6 hours before bed.
Relax: Insomnia is usually a result of anxiety. Anxiety relieving tactics before bed like meditation or keeping a journal can help. A nice hot shower can also help, as it can kick start the cooldown process of our bodies that we naturally go through every night to prepare for sleep.
Stick to a Schedule: The idea the one night of oversleeping can make up for your sleep debt is a myth. This means a student can’t simply oversleep on the weekends and feel refreshed. They need to consistently log a good number of sleep hours. Sleep schedules help us to stay on track and it is also important to keep these habits through the weekend.

It is true that all of us and especially students are juggling a lot of responsibilities and the idea of going to sleep may seem like a hindrance to getting things done, but it is quite the opposite. It is necessary to be more productive and healthy at a crucial time in our lives. Prioritize sleep so you can be closer to your full potential!