Sleep

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is very important for proper brain function - it is when memories and information are stored, it allows for your muscles to recover and repair themselves, and it plays a role in hormone balance.

"Quality of sleep is as important as quantity"

What happens when you don't sleep?

• Our emotions are heightened, causing irritability, anger, and/or anxiety
• Reaction time is slowed
• Judgment and concentration are impaired
• Changes in appetite occur
• Feel tired or lacking in energy

Do you ever find yourself dosing off while you study?

Any deep sleep allows our brain to function at a higher level.  For instance, just a 20-30 minutes nap has shown to improve cognitive function and awareness.

Tips to improve sleep: 

• Keep a regular sleep schedule
• Avoid drinking caffeine, energy drinks, alcohol, and sugary beverages before bedtime- it interferes with the ability to fall and stay asleep
• Eat healthy food and stay hydrated
• Make your environment a cool, comfortable, dark, and quiet place 
• Avoid studying, watching TV, and using other technology while in bed
• If you cannot fall asleep after 30 minutes, instead of tossing and turning, get up and do a relaxing activity (yoga stretches or listen to soothing music)

Written By: Rachel Bedford & Ellen Francis, Dietetic Interns 2014
References:
Sleep while studying photo from http://marshallmashup.usc.edu/snoozing-vs-studying-how-to-dominate-your-finals/
Halfmoon photo from http://fineartamerica.com/featured/half-moon-ben-haslam.html
Information from http://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/ht_sleep.html