Associated Press Updated: 29 August 2012 | 11:23 am in Health, Healthy Living, Wellness/Preventive care

Sleep tips for college students

Catching zzz's is just as important as hitting the books


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Adolescents typically need between eight and nine hours of sleep a night, but some studies suggest they typically get closer to six. Here are some sleep tips for college students (or anyone) looking to improve their sleep habits.

 

  • Exercise regularly, but not after the early evening. Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m. Try to avoid late-night eating and alcohol, but don’t go to bed hungry, either.

 

  • Don’t use electronics — laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc. — late at night. Not only will the content stimulate your brain, the brightness of the screen is comparable to a morning walk in the sun when it comes to waking you up.

 

  • Make your bed a place just for sleep. Don’t study, watch TV or do anything else there (or not much else. Some colleges advise limiting your bed to the “three S’s” — sleep, sex and sickness).

 

  • If you have early classes on some days, try not to sleep in on the others. Experts say a regular schedule is the most essential element of a healthy sleep routine.

 

  • Try to avoid naps, and if you do nap, nap before 3 p.m. and for no more than 20 minutes. Otherwise you’ll keep yourself up at night.

 

  • Set your alarm clock — at a reasonable bedtime. (If you need an alarm clock to wake up feeling rested, you’re not sleeping enough).

 

 



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