The semester can be stressful. Especially when you’re a Puksta, there often seems to be not enough time to fit studies, life, and work all into a week. Though all of these elements are important, there is one thing that is critical to them all, but we often sacrifice to unhealthy levels: sleep. Getting enough “shut-eye” might seem simple for some, but for many striving for academic perfection, sleep is often sacrificed or outright neglected so that we can study a little harder, play a little louder, and work a whole lot longer.
A number of negative effects have been attributed to those who get a lack of sleep. From obesity to depression, loss of memory to sickness, a number of negative effects have long been attributed to not enough hours spent in dreamland. Many sources recommend at least 7 hours of restful sleep for teens and young adults, so try to at least plan that many hours into your schedule. If 7 hours at night doesn’t seem possible, try to fit a nap into your day to make up for the lost hours, but try not to make this a habit.
Other tips for getting more sleep:
-Have an established sleeping schedule during the week! Sure, the weekends are a good time to have some fun into the night but try to keep those weekdays on a regular schedule. Your body will develop a rhythm that will benefit you in the long run.
-Try to reign in the extra hours at work. Sure, we all have to pay the bills, but getting sick will likely cost you more money than you’d make by picking up that extra shift. Keep this in mind when considering extra work.
-A sleep mask and earplugs (or noise-canceling headphones) can be perfect for creating a calm, dark, and restful inner-space for slumber even when the neighbors or roommates are noisy long into the night.
For more tips and information, check out the National Sleep Foundation: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/excessive-sleepiness/support/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need
