We should really sleep, sleep ain’t just for the weak

Everyone has those nights where they say to themselves, “I’m so tired. I’m going to sleep so well tonight.” But then, what happens? They lay in bed imagining falling fast asleep, but then they lay awake- and unable to sleep.

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Falling asleep at the same time every night is essential to getting a good rest between days, according to Maria Konnikova, writer for The New Yorker and author of “Snoozers Are, in Fact, Losers.” For people who struggle to get to sleep every night, it is due to their poor circadian rhythm, the ability to sense each of the 24-hours in a day. For example, someone with a well-aligned circadian rhythm will get hungry around noon every day, right when the sun is at the middle peak.

For high school students, sleeping can be a hard process because some nights, homework piles up, sports practices run too late, cramming for a test the next day takes priority or football Friday nights are followed by Steak ‘n’ Shake with the gang.

However, sleep is a vital part of a person’s day-to-day schedule and surviving high school requires a good night’s sleep.

“When you eat close to your bedtime your stomach is still working hard to digest your food,” said writer, Merwin Davies, from ‘Eat Live Life’ online. He is also a nutrition researcher, health and wellness advocate, meditation practitioner and a yoga fanatic.

His research also states that when you eat after 8 p.m., people are at a higher risk of slowing down their metabolism and this can lead to restless sleeping and future health problems with obesity and heart conditions. Below are some tips from students:

Juniors Abby Bentley and Abby Headlee both said that they try to stay off their phones 30 minutes prior to going to sleep to help them fall asleep faster.

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Senior Allison Shrader said, “Listening to music or reading something works a lot [to help fall asleep].” Sophomore Fallon Bandy said, “I always take a hot shower and eat some fruit because it helps me relax.” Junior Cameron Cox said to fall asleep, he sometimes ends up “taking 20 mg of melatonin pills when having trouble falling asleep.”

Junior Henry Boateng mentioned his use of melatonin medication on a late night helps, because it is a hormone that helps regulate sleep and wake time.

“Avoid engaging in activities that are super stimulating right before bed such as drinking caffeine, exercise or other things that stimulate the nervous system”’ Psychology teacher Rebecca Whitney said. Whitney also said, “turning electronics on a night time setting can help prepare the body for sleep,” by reducing the noise level and screen brightness on a device."


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