Wake up! You need that sleep
Lydia West Special from Black College Wire
Issue date: 4/11/07 Section: News
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Between class, work, parties and school activities, many students find it difficult to take the time to re-energize their body and brain with the real food for the soul, sleep.
Failure to get in at least eight hours can result in dizziness, loss of energy and insomnia-all symptoms of sleep deprivation, which is defined as failure to get the necessary amount of sleep.
Skipping hours of sleep might seem harmless, but a 2006 poll from the National Sleep Foundation indicated many young adults suffer from sleep deprivation severe enough to interfere with daytime activities.
According to the foundation, not getting enough sleep or having sleep difficulties can limit your ability to learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems. It can also lead to aggressive or inappropriate behavior, such as yelling at friends or being impatient with teachers or family members. It can even contribute to acne and other skin problems.
Sleep deprivation can also cause weight gain: One can eat too much or eat unhealthy foods at night. It can even heighten the effects of alcohol, lead to the use of caffeine and nicotine and precede serious illnesses such as insomnia.
Dr. Clarence Calhoun, a general surgeon and physician at Albany State University Student Health Services, said, "Students are often suffering from sleep deprivation and don't even realize it. Too many nights of forced wakefulness can affect your social life, academics, family, health and eventually lead to deadly consequences."
Vicki Philips, R.N., a family nurse practitioner who is also at Albany State University Student Health Services, said students who do not receive at least eight to nine hours of sleep are harming their immune systems.
"Too many extracurricular activities, along with college life pressures, are causing students to become sleep-deprived," Philips said.
Why don't students sleep enough?
Christy Statham, a 19-year-old business management major, said, "I don't receive eight hours of sleep because I am involved in so much, and still feel the pressure to keep my cademics up. There aren't enough hours in the day."
Failure to get in at least eight hours can result in dizziness, loss of energy and insomnia-all symptoms of sleep deprivation, which is defined as failure to get the necessary amount of sleep.
Skipping hours of sleep might seem harmless, but a 2006 poll from the National Sleep Foundation indicated many young adults suffer from sleep deprivation severe enough to interfere with daytime activities.
According to the foundation, not getting enough sleep or having sleep difficulties can limit your ability to learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems. It can also lead to aggressive or inappropriate behavior, such as yelling at friends or being impatient with teachers or family members. It can even contribute to acne and other skin problems.
Sleep deprivation can also cause weight gain: One can eat too much or eat unhealthy foods at night. It can even heighten the effects of alcohol, lead to the use of caffeine and nicotine and precede serious illnesses such as insomnia.
Dr. Clarence Calhoun, a general surgeon and physician at Albany State University Student Health Services, said, "Students are often suffering from sleep deprivation and don't even realize it. Too many nights of forced wakefulness can affect your social life, academics, family, health and eventually lead to deadly consequences."
Vicki Philips, R.N., a family nurse practitioner who is also at Albany State University Student Health Services, said students who do not receive at least eight to nine hours of sleep are harming their immune systems.
"Too many extracurricular activities, along with college life pressures, are causing students to become sleep-deprived," Philips said.
Why don't students sleep enough?
Christy Statham, a 19-year-old business management major, said, "I don't receive eight hours of sleep because I am involved in so much, and still feel the pressure to keep my cademics up. There aren't enough hours in the day."
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