Are you hitting the snooze button every time that dreadful “beep! beep!” sounds at 6:30 a.m.? Are you having trouble keeping your eyes open during class? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. With summer-time slumbering over, it is again time for early rising. For some, “getting back to school” means sacrificing precious sleep.
“I haven’t been able to get back on my regular school sleep routine. I don’t even have time to think about sleep. I try my best to get homework done as early in the day as possible because I’m exhausted after cross-country practice,” said senior Nicole Mueller.
Some find that despite getting work done early, it is difficult to fall asleep when deadlines and due dates are pressing on their minds.
“I love to sleep, so I finish my homework as soon as I get home, but what keeps me from sleeping is my anxiety for school. If I have a test the next day, my worrying keeps me up all night and prevents me from getting a full night of sleep,” said junior Samantha Tano.
In order to manage rigorous school and activity schedules, it is imperative to make time for sleep. If you’re having trouble “shutting down” for the night, there are some things you can do:
Unplug and Unwind
It may be difficult for some, but putting away electronics before sleep will make it easier to fall asleep. There may not be much homework the first week of school, and catching up on Netflix episodes may seem like the best use of that free time, but catching up on “Z’s” instead will benefit yourself, and your health, much more.
Cut the Caffeine
Coffee is typically most students’ go-to for staying alert all day. However, don’t be mistaken. Coffee provides a boost of energy for the first few hours of the day, but it will wear off and the crash will hit harder. Rather than overloading on caffeine, go to bed early. It is a healthier, more natural option that will energize without the harmful effects. Green tea, Yerba Mate, and Wheat grass juice are other great energy boosters that will provide the same, or even better, outcome than coffee.
“You can become addicted to coffee and create a situation that you have to have it in order to function. If you aren’t in that situation yet, don’t let yourself get to that point. It is acceptable in our society to addicted to caffeine, but ultimately, if you make sleep a priority, then you will never need to depend on it,” said psychology teacher Thomas Timko.
Get Some Exercise
Exercise is also a great way to improve your night’s sleep. Getting into a routine of exercising every day will not only help promote sleep, but also improve one’s health overall. Students who participate in sports teams or endure physical activity during the day tend to have an easier time falling asleep because their bodies are more relaxed.
“Exercise is a great way to deal with excess anxiety. But, if you exercise too late in the day, it will keep you awake. It’s a delicate balance,” said Timko.
Sleep is essential for developing brains and bodies. So train yourself to get on a regular routine and you won’t need that snooze button after all.
