Sleep is one of the most important body functions that we many times neglect, while trying to maintain a social life, keep a job and succeed in college.
“I don’t know how much sleep I get, but I know it is not enough,” said Tanyelle Jenkins, a junior education major Baton Rouge.
Not getting enough sleep weakens the immune system, your ability to stay alert, memory, stamina and mood and can ultimately lead to insomnia.
A disease plaguing 60 percent of Americans according to Psychology Today, insomnia is a disorder that makes it difficult for an individual to go to sleep or stay asleep.
“Sleep is used to repair the body so if you aren’t getting good sleep you need to try. Also when you don’t get enough sleep you are not alert, you can’t pay attention in class and you don’t have as much energy,” said Betty Fomby, associate professor at the SU school of nursing.
According to Psyshology Today, Americans on average get seven hours of sleep per night.
Many students know how many hours of sleep they should get and strive to get more than enough.
“I normally get at least seven hours of sleep every night. I try to avoid staying up late so I get my sleep. Sleep is very important to me,” said Cardiss Payne, a senior majoring in mass communications from Baker.
While some students find it difficult to go to sleep without some type of noise such as the television or the radio, these things actually make it more difficult to sleep.
“Every night students should get seven to eight hours of sleep, without the television or the radio being on. When the television or the radio is on, your brain is still alert trying to tune out the noise,” Fomby said.
Just like adults, parents should make sure their children go to bed at the same time every night.
“Children need more rest than the average adult. They should have a set pattern every night to go to bed. Kids need to get plenty of rest,” Fomby said.
In many cases people are their own worst enemy in the battle against sleep.
Remember that getting proper rest is important and should be a main priority in students’ life.
So get off the phone, turn off the radio and go to sleep.
