Sometimes we can only laugh when our parents tell us to “have a good night’s sleep.”

“Sleep,” we think, “what’s that? I’m a college student!”

The truth is, this is no laughing matter. Sleep deprivation is a serious issue facing college students. According to web site sleepdeprivation.com, studies show that about 20 percent of college students are victims of sleep deprivation and other related sleeping disorders, such as insomnia. The sleep deprivation web site lists common causes of sleep deprivation and its harmful effects on our bodies, as well as suggestions to combat it. Check out the list below … then go take a nap.

Common reasons for sleep deprivation:

• Hectic schedules: Experts say it’s normal for college
  students to experience different sleeping patterns once
  they leave home and enter the world of the dorms.
  Students often lose sleep as they try to balance busy
  schedules filled with classes and work.
• Cram sessions: While some students study best when
  cramming, this may not benefit your sleeping patterns.
  Students may stay up late to cram for exams, but
  sometimes they might have a harder time retaining the
  information because of their exhausted bodies.
• Worries: Some students report sleeping problems
  because they are too worried to sleep. Whether a big
  exam is coming up or financial deadlines are looming,
  many students lose sleep worrying about their futures.

Effects of sleep deprivation:

Students can react to sleep deprivation in a variety of ways, depending on the seriousness of the issue. Common reactions studied by experts are:

• Short term effects: Students who deprive themselves of
  sleep are hurting their bodies, causing a heightened
  level of exhaustion and irritability. Many students will
  find that they cannot perform to the best of their
  ability when they lose sleep. Side note: sleep
  deprivation is another factor that can lead to weight
  gain and the “freshmen 15” – many students who suffer
  from sleep deprivation increase their food intake.
• Long term effects: Sleep deprivation can lead to more
  serious effects than grogginess. Heart attacks, strokes
  and seizures are some of the other possible consequences
  of sleep deprivation.

Solutions to sleep deprivation:

While it might be challenging to get enough sleep – after all, you are busy – here are some tips for incorporating a good night’s sleep into your schedule.

• Exercise: Exercising is not just to ensure that you
  don’t gain weight; it is a key element to getting a good
  night’s rest. Doctors and sleep specialists state that
  exercise can help students establish healthy patterns
  that will make sleeping easier at the end of a long day.
  On a side note, it is not healthy to exercise right
  before going to sleep. Exercise will stimulate your body
  and make it harder to sleep immediately afterward;
  doctors recommend that you exercise at least three hours
  before sleeping.
• Planning naps: Naps can be good ways to catch up on
  sleep, but only when planned and “used” properly.
  Experts state that you should take naps in the early
  afternoon and for no longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
  Longer naps toward the end of the day might disrupt your
  sleeping schedule.
• Schedule in sleep: Experts recommend setting aside a
  few days a week to get a full night’s sleep. The
  majority of people need six to eight hours of sleep to
  function properly. While it is recommended that students
  go to bed and wake up around the same time every night,
  busy schedules make this routine nearly impossible. To
  combat this, experts suggest trying to get additional
  hours of sleep several times of week, in order to
  prevent long-term health issues.

You can find more information about sleep deprivation at www.sleep-deprivation.com.