The clock in the corner of your computer screen reads 3:30 am. You’re downing coffee number five. You have three more chapters to review for tomorrow’s test. And, most likely, you are running on ZERO hours of sleep.
Sound familiar? Don’t kid yourself, we’ve all done it. Procrastinating until the very last minute and then spending sleepless nights in the library stacks writing papers and cramming for tests. But this is one of the sacrifices we make to live the type of college life that we Emory students yearn for. We don’t want to be known as braniac bookworms, bent over textbooks all day long. No, we want to be well-rounded, scholarly socialites who pull off academic excellence while making it to all “hang-out-with-friends” opportunities (not to mention volunteering, internship applications, extracurricular activities, and other look-at-me-I’m-awesome shenanigans). But there is something very important missing from this picture. Sleep.
Her Campus Emory has done some research on the importance of healthy sleeping habits and here’s what we found out…
Getting enough sleep will likely:
Improve your grades
Increase your attentiveness
Make you a happier individual
Decrease mood swings and depression
Help your memory and brainpower
Keep you from catching a cold, swine flu, etc.
Helpful tips on how to get a good night’s sleep:
Engage in a relaxing activity for about 30 minutes before your head to bed.
Relaxing doesn’t mean studying, playing videogames, or watching TV. Instead, try reading a book (for fun), writing in a journal, stretching, meditating, listening to (relaxing) music, or visualizing.
Avoid taking naps completely, or at least limit your afternoon naps to less than fifty minutes.
Do not drink caffeinated drinks before bedtime!
(Obviously.)
Try to establish a consistent sleep schedule.
This means going to sleep and waking up around the same time every day.
Exercise regularly, but not too close to bedtime.
Eat a small, light carb-rich (not protein-packed or high-in-fat) snack before bed.
My night-snack-of-choice is Trader Joe’s Chocolately Cats Cookies (For People).
Finally, a personal piece of advice…
Try drinking a cup of red bush tea before bed.
I suggest Republic of Tea Get Some ZZZ’s Herb Tea. It works wonders!
Once you establish your regular sleep schedule (hopefully between 7 and 9 hours a night without daily naps) you will be on your way to greatness in your (pre-med, pre-business, pre-famous) studies and in your social life. Yes, smarty-pants Emory collegiettes, you can find a healthy and satisfying balance, and have the best of both worlds!
For more information on healthy sleeping habits, check out Sleep Well Emory.