As college students, sleep seems to be lower on our list of priorities. However, it is one of the biggest keys to success and therefore we should be doing our best to make sure we are getting the most out of the sleep we get. Here are 8 ways to get a better night’s sleep:
1. Create a healthy sleep schedule
Your body works best on a set time clock so do the best you can to respect that and your body will thank you for it. Pick a bedtime and try to stick to it each and every night. With that being said, try and wake up at roughly the same time each morning – as college students with alternating schedules, this task can be a hard one, but if you keep yourself from sleeping in, especially on weekends, you’ll find yourself with more energy than you would if you spent the entire morning in bed!
2. Keep a comfortable room
Turn off the lights, keep your room cool, give yourself some background noise (like a fan or soothing music) and open your windows in the summer. Sleep is meant for rest and relaxation so do whatever you can to give your body those signs that it only recognizes as you sleep. This way, your brain has an easier time shutting down and you don’t have to try so hard to get that rest you need.
3. Limit daytime naps
Naps are good in moderation. Be careful not to let those food comas you get at odd times of the day make you sleepy. Once your head hits that pillow or you find yourself snuggled up on the couch, drifting off is nearly inevitable and the next thing you know, three hours have gone by. If you find that you’re in need of sleep in the middle of the day, take a cat nap (lasting no longer than 20 minutes) as your body will get the rest it needs without falling into a deep sleep. It may not seem like enough, but you’ll wake up more energized than you think!
4) Exercise
Get your body moving and wake up your mind. Any sort of exercise from walking the track to lifting weights gets your blood flowing. This will help wake you up during the day, relieve stress, and you may be more physically tired as you lay down that night but this will keep you healthy. Plus, your body will definitely be ready to hit your bed that night!
5. Get out in the sun
Sun helps you in a variety of ways – it makes you happier, gives you vitamins, and often gets you active! Being in the sun and spending time outside can give you unintentional exercise as well as a healthy body that won’t keep you up at night!
6. Manage your stress
Stress can most definitely tamper with your sleep cycle and often times, as college students juggling everything we do, it’s hard for our minds to turn off as the sun goes down. However, the less stressed you are (or that you can trick your brain into thinking you are), the better sleep you’ll get. If you take a few minutes for yourself each night before bed to help you relax, it can really help.
7. Turn off all technology
We are all attached to our phones, computers and TVs, but when it comes to lying in bed, make it a point to put down your technology. If you can get yourself into a habit of leaving that out of the bedroom, it can calm you and leave the temptations where they aren’t as accessible. So, finish that last text, Netflix show, or homework assignment before crawling into bed and you’ll be amazed at how much faster you’ll fall asleep and how well-rested you’ll feel in the morning.
8. Watch what you eat and drink
Over-eating during a meal (especially dinner) can cause you to be tired. It’s not real drowsiness; it’s just your body absorbing everything you’ve eaten and making you feel weak. Therefore, make sure to watch how much you eat and what you’re eating so that you don’t feel sluggish until it’s time to sleep. It’s also important to make sure you stop drinking caffeine after lunch as it can stay in your system for up to seven hours! And for those who like to drink tea before bed, make sure you stay away from caffeinated versions as well!
