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In the News

Get your Z’s to keep your A’s

Even if you have only been in school for a few months, you are most likely already familiar with late nights — be it for work or pleasure. If you have spent more than a handful of nights this semester staying up ‘til the crack of dawn cramming for an exam, writing a paper, or just plain old partying, you are not alone. The problem is that while you may feel that a strong cup of coffee or your choice of “energy drink” may get you through the next day, there may be a significantly heavy price to pay for not getting enough sleep at night in the long-term.

Research shows an astounding relationship between lack of sleep and poor grades and overall health. So, why is this the case? Why can you not just “quick-fix” your sleepiness with a little caffeine and simply get on with your day? The first reason is that in order for your brain to function to its fullest capacity, it needs rest. Your body is like a machine. Compare it to fueling your body with food. Try to imagine the lack of energy you would have if you ate a fraction of what you needed to eat every day to keep you going — for instance, if you ate one meal per day, instead of the average three, you would most likely be feeling rather sluggish and weak. Your body and brain need sleep, the same way that they need food.

Another interesting fact about not getting enough sleep is that it has proven to be as dangerous as driving drunk, in that it is detrimental to your reaction time and memory. Imagine yourself in class when your professor calls on you for an answer after you’ve slept for only a mere three hours the night before. Suddenly, you don’t know the answer to his question — but how can this be? You knew it inside and out a few hours ago!

The temptation to partake in all that is going on around you in a college setting is strong — there’s no denying that. But, there’s also no denying that fitting an ample amount of sleep at night into your busy schedule is essential. So, how much sleep is enough? The average adult is said to need between 7-8 hours of sleep each night to maintain a healthy and productive lifestyle. Additionally, roughly an hour of physical exercise per day can greatly improve your overall energy level—so, in order to be as productive, happy and healthy a student as possible, move your body, eat well, and get your Z’s!

Source: SeattlePI.com | The Seatle Post-Intelligencer