2008 Woodie Awards
Students suffer from sleep deprevation, study shows
Zankhana Patel ; Daily Targum (Rutgers U.)
Issue date: 2/2/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - With all the hard work involved with college life, students tend to ignore their personal health in order to succeed in the world around them. One of the biggest sacrifices made deals with the basic human need to re-energize -- the act of sleep.
Sleep recharges the energy level of the central nervous system, relaxes the bones, cartilage, and muscular tissues, and combats sickness.
Many students, however, have trouble sleeping. These troubles can be aggravated by reasons such as infections, problems with diet, depression, stress, and anxiety.
"Many people are sleep deprived. College students fall into that category," said Philip Cohen, assistant team physician at Rutgers University's Busch-Livingston Health Center.
Cohen said there are many ways to enhance better sleeping habits. Most importantly, a regular sleep and wake schedule should be maintained.
"Figure out how much sleep they generally need and get themselves into a routine," said Kimberly Fairchild, a graduate student who teaches psychology. "If you try to go to sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each day, it will help your body to get into a certain rhythm."
Other good sleeping habits can be achieved by avoiding alcohol, large amounts of caffeine, and other medications that affect sleep especially before bedtime. Proper diet and exercising regularly also help one's habits.
"Meditation on a regular basis can help have a more complete sleeping pattern and make you feel refreshed if you have early morning classes," Rutgers College sophomore Meghana Gupta said. "It can also help you control your stress levels."
If you are having trouble falling asleep and are lying in bed for more than 15 minutes, get up and do something to make you feel tired. According to Buzzle.com, taking a long, warm bath, drinking warm milk or jotting down worries you are facing and possible solutions may help you enjoy a good night's rest.
"Make sure bedroom and bed are only used for sleeping. Behavior problems may result otherwise," Cohen said. "Avoid getting overly agitated before bedtime, and do not do strenuous exercise."
Sleep recharges the energy level of the central nervous system, relaxes the bones, cartilage, and muscular tissues, and combats sickness.
Many students, however, have trouble sleeping. These troubles can be aggravated by reasons such as infections, problems with diet, depression, stress, and anxiety.
"Many people are sleep deprived. College students fall into that category," said Philip Cohen, assistant team physician at Rutgers University's Busch-Livingston Health Center.
Cohen said there are many ways to enhance better sleeping habits. Most importantly, a regular sleep and wake schedule should be maintained.
"Figure out how much sleep they generally need and get themselves into a routine," said Kimberly Fairchild, a graduate student who teaches psychology. "If you try to go to sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each day, it will help your body to get into a certain rhythm."
Other good sleeping habits can be achieved by avoiding alcohol, large amounts of caffeine, and other medications that affect sleep especially before bedtime. Proper diet and exercising regularly also help one's habits.
"Meditation on a regular basis can help have a more complete sleeping pattern and make you feel refreshed if you have early morning classes," Rutgers College sophomore Meghana Gupta said. "It can also help you control your stress levels."
If you are having trouble falling asleep and are lying in bed for more than 15 minutes, get up and do something to make you feel tired. According to Buzzle.com, taking a long, warm bath, drinking warm milk or jotting down worries you are facing and possible solutions may help you enjoy a good night's rest.
"Make sure bedroom and bed are only used for sleeping. Behavior problems may result otherwise," Cohen said. "Avoid getting overly agitated before bedtime, and do not do strenuous exercise."