Role of Sleep in a Student’s Life

Some students think sleep deprivation is cool. You can see some bragging about sleeping 4-6 hours a day. They have forgotten why getting adequate sleep is necessary and the devastating effects of sleep deprivation. It can weaken their immune system, increase the risk of illnesses, and cause mood swings, irritability, or even depression.

While some students have actual reasons to stay awake at night, others do it purposelessly. They scroll social media, watch TV, play video games, or use other electronic gadgets till late at night (1 am, 2 am, or more). Then, they wake up as early as 6 am because they do not want to miss any class or lecture.

This blog is dedicated to all those students who think staying up all night is cool and their body has some superpowers to function normally even after getting 4-6 hours of sleep.

Benefits of Healthy Sleep for Students

Like food, water, and oxygen, our body needs healthy sleep to function normally. That's why you should always give your body the rest it needs. Doing so offers numerous benefits, including boosted immunity, regulated blood sugar, increased focus, enhanced creativity and innovation, and more. Here is the list of benefits that you may get if you get an adequate amount of sleep:

Academic Benefits

• Better Grades: Believe it or not, students who sleep well tend to get better grades. More sleep means more focus, which translates to a better understanding of lessons, leading to good grades.
• Alertness: Do you feel sleepy in class? Get enough sleep and see yourself changing completely. You will become more alert and ready to participate and can impress your teachers and classmates.
• Increased Creativity: Others get good ideas for presentations and projects, but you never do. Is this the case with you? That's because of sleep deprivation. You can fix it easily by sleeping more.
• Improved Decision-Making: Taking much time to make small decisions? Just sleep more and see yourself making smart choices and handling academic challenges that come your way effectively.

Mental Benefits

• More Focused: The better you sleep, the more focused you are. So, stop staying up late at night for better focus on your class and ace all your tests!
• Improved Memory: Do you spend hours learning some topic and forget when asked questions about it? Sleep deprivation could be the culprit, and you already know what can fix it.
• Problem-Solver: If you always get stuck on homework problems, try improving your sleep before taking other steps; it may work wonders for you.
• Uplifted Mood: Student life is stressful, and sleep deprivation can intensify their stress. Ensure you get enough sleep so you don't feel much stressed and grumpy.

Physical Benefits

• Energetic: Are you feeling tired and sluggish? Sleep deprivation must be causing it. Get adequate sleep to feel energetic and content. Complete reading this blog and take a nap!
• No Illnesses: Some students think less sleep means more fun. But the truth is just the opposite. If you sleep less, you get sick more frequently. Get adequate sleep daily to keep ailments at bay and have more time for fun.
• Healthy Weight: Overweight? Getting adequate sleep can help with weight management. So, when are you improving your sleeping patterns?

The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation

Have you ever tried to stay awake to study all night, only to feel that you could have performed better if you had slept? If yes, you must be aware of how important is getting adequate sleep. You must also have realized the consequences of depriving yourself of sleep. Here are some other dangers of sleep deprivation every student must know:

Brain Fog

Have you ever played a video game with a super slow internet connection? That's what happens when you try to study without getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation makes it hard for you to concentrate and learn new things. You will keep creating a mess if you don't get yourself enough sleep.

Person Becomes a Mistake Master

Have you ever met a person who is very clumsy or makes careless mistakes? They must have sleep deprivation. It can mess up anyone's coordination and reaction time. Get adequate sleep if you don't want to be like them.

You Start Getting Sick Frequently

If you deprive yourself of healthy sleep, your immune system gets weakened, making you more likely to catch colds and other illnesses. The more you get ill, the more leaves you take from school. Prolonged absences from school or class can make you fall behind and even fail your tests.

Always Have a Bad Mood

People tend to feel extra grumpy or stressed after staying up all night. It can also mess with their emotions, making them irritable, anxious, or even depressed. If you also stay up all night, you will feel that way and won't be able to give your best at school. So, say no to sleepless nights!

Tired Throughout the Day

Do you feel that you don't have the energy to do anything? Feeling like you can sleep all day long? Your body is begging for sleep. And it only happens when you don't get enough sleep. This condition can wipe out your energy levels, making staying motivated and active hard for you. Don't deprive yourself of sleep just for scrolling social media endlessly.

Also Read, Healthy Habits for Better Learning and Focus

How Students Can Get Enough Sleep

Do you ever wish you had some superpower to stop the time and get more sleep? We all have been there, but doing so is impossible for everyone. But there is one thing that you can do, which is follow the below tips to avoid sleep deprivation:

Make a Sleep Schedule

One day, you are sleeping at 8 pm, and the other day at 12, that's exactly what you don't have to do. Sleep at the same time and wake at the same time every day. Weekends are not an exception! This will train your body to know when it's time to sleep and when it's time to start your day.

Create a Sleeping Environment

To ensure you ace your exams, get quality sleep by creating the right sleeping environment. Here is how you can make an ideal sleeping environment for good sleep:

• Phones, laptops, or other gadgets with screens have a blue light that can mess up your sleep. Stop using these devices at least 30 minutes before bed to have a good sleep.
• Try creating a relaxing bedtime routine for good sleep. It can include a warm bath, reading books, or listening to music.
• Turn off all the lights, block any light coming from outside using curtains, and block any noise with earplugs or a white noise machine for a relaxing sleep.
• Make sure the bed sheets and pillow you will sleep on are comfortable and feel amazing to have a good night's sleep.
• The room temperature needs to be comfortable for a good night's sleep. Adjust your bedroom temperature to your liking.

Try Relaxing Yourself Before Sleep

Are you stressed about school, friends, or family? Trying to sleep with with stress and anxiety? That's not possible at all! It's like a battle that you can never win. Try to relax yourself before bed if you want a good night's sleep. Use relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or light yoga before bed to relax your body and mind. See the change yourself!

Naps Can Work Wonders

Try taking short naps of twenty or thirty minutes during the day. It can uplift your mood, make you feel more focused, and elevate your energy levels. However, napping too long or too late in the afternoon can make it harder to fall asleep at night. So, be careful while taking naps!

In Conclusion

Sleep deprivation is considered cool by some students. They think staying up late at night allows them to have more fun than those who do not. But the truth is just the opposite of what they believe. Not getting enough sleep can mess up coordination and reaction time, making them clumsy and careless. In addition, it can make it harder for them to focus on the class and learn whatever is taught.

Not to mention the negative effects sleep deprivation can have on their physical health, including increased frequency of getting sick, resulting in prolonged absence from school. Students should stop romanticizing sleep deprivation and get adequate to be at their best throughout the day. They should make a sleep schedule, sleep in the ideal sleeping environment, relax before bed, and consider taking 20-30-minute naps during the day to recharge themselves.