Insomnia: Avoiding sleepless nights

For many college students, sleepless nights are just a part of everyday college life. But, there is a point where a night without sleep is a big problem.
Millions of Americans suffer from insomnia, a condition characterized by an inability to sleep even though they feel tired, or they experience a restless sleep that leaves them fatigued. It can last anywhere from a few days to over a month.
Many things can cause insomnia. It can be caused by an illness, loss of a loved one, or extremities in weather.
According to Dr. Peter Dawson, a physician in the Baranco-Hill Health Center, causes of insomnia are found in common foods consumed by college students everyday.
“Some people don’t tolerate caffeine well. Having these later in the day may cause insomnia,” he said. He also lists anxiety as a primary cause of insomnia.
Another major cause of insomnia among college students is stress.
“Having stress becomes a problem when a person worries and thinks about their problems and it affects their sleep,” says Alysius Allen, a counselor with the Southern University Counseling Center. Among college students, Allen suggests time management as a major factor in cutting back stress.
If insomnia is left untreated, it can affect day to day functions.
“The body requires a certain mount of sleep to refresh itself. If you don’t get it, you don’t function as well both mentally and physically,” says Dr. Dawson.
There are some tips that college students can follow to deal with insomnia.
v Do not force yourself to sleep, let it happen naturally.
v Learn to relax and work through tension.
v Learn to avoid undue stress, students should study and remain confident in their ability to perform their academic duties.
If insomnia is causing problems in your life, visit the Baranco-Hill Health Center or the S.U. Counseling Center to receive help.