Four Healthy Sleep Tips for Busy College Students
For many college students, a normal routine might look something like this: staying up until the early hours of the morning to finish an assignment or project, getting just a couple of hours’ sleep, and then heading off to a 9 AM lecture or seminar. But, depriving yourself of sleep too often, regardless of the reason, can lead to some serious consequences for your health and well-being. Not getting enough sleep as a college student can have a massive impact on your physical and mental health, leaving you with little energy and more prone to disease. In turn, it can also have a detrimental effect on your grades. So, what can you do to improve your sleep at college? Let’s find out.
Avoid Leaving Projects Until the Last Minute:
It can be all too easy to put off projects and assignments until you’re left with just a few days to complete them. If you’re the type of person who works better under pressure, then great – but avoid starting your work too late into the evening. Making sure that you have a full day or two free to get your work done without staying up too late is important for improving your sleep. And, spend at least an hour or two before bed winding down and relaxing.
Cut Down on Coffee:
As a college student, coffee has probably been your savior many a time. But, whilst there’s nothing wrong with brewing yourself a strong cup of joe or heading to your nearest Starbucks to give you a little boost in the morning, it’s important to try and cut down on the amount of caffeine that you consume throughout the day, particularly after lunchtime. Drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages too late in the day can keep you awake at night, so swap it for plain water, herbal teas, or decaf coffee instead.
Invest in New Pillows:
Your mattress and pillows can easily be the reason you’re struggling to sleep at night if you’re sleeping on the wrong ones. Whilst a new mattress might not be in your student budget, upgrading your pillows isn’t as expensive and can make quite a big difference to your comfort at night. If you tend to wake up in the morning with a stiff, aching neck, you’re probably using the wrong type of pillow for your needs or sleeping on pillows that are too high or low. Check out pillows specifically designed to support your sleeping position at Side Sleep Reviews.
Stick to a Sleep Schedule:
Sleeping and waking at the same or similar times each day can help you get back in tune with your body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it easier for you to drift off at night and wake up early in the morning. As a student, you might find it useful to sleep as early as possible so that you can get a head start on your work in the morning when your mind is fresh. It may be tempting to sleep in when you have a late class or on the weekend, but this can mess up your sleeping pattern for the days you need to wake early.
If you found these tips helpful, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!
It can be all too easy to put off projects and assignments until you’re left with just a few days to complete them. If you’re the type of person who works better under pressure, then great – but avoid starting your work too late into the evening. Making sure that you have a full day or two free to get your work done without staying up too late is important for improving your sleep. And, spend at least an hour or two before bed winding down and relaxing.
Cut Down on Coffee:
As a college student, coffee has probably been your savior many a time. But, whilst there’s nothing wrong with brewing yourself a strong cup of joe or heading to your nearest Starbucks to give you a little boost in the morning, it’s important to try and cut down on the amount of caffeine that you consume throughout the day, particularly after lunchtime. Drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages too late in the day can keep you awake at night, so swap it for plain water, herbal teas, or decaf coffee instead.
Invest in New Pillows:
Your mattress and pillows can easily be the reason you’re struggling to sleep at night if you’re sleeping on the wrong ones. Whilst a new mattress might not be in your student budget, upgrading your pillows isn’t as expensive and can make quite a big difference to your comfort at night. If you tend to wake up in the morning with a stiff, aching neck, you’re probably using the wrong type of pillow for your needs or sleeping on pillows that are too high or low. Check out pillows specifically designed to support your sleeping position at Side Sleep Reviews.
Stick to a Sleep Schedule:
Sleeping and waking at the same or similar times each day can help you get back in tune with your body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it easier for you to drift off at night and wake up early in the morning. As a student, you might find it useful to sleep as early as possible so that you can get a head start on your work in the morning when your mind is fresh. It may be tempting to sleep in when you have a late class or on the weekend, but this can mess up your sleeping pattern for the days you need to wake early.
If you found these tips helpful, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!
