What question can never be answered with a yes? Are you asleep? Did you know that sleeping has many health benefits? It allows our body’s immune system to work properly (and boy do you guys need that right now). It resets the brain for a long day of studying and critical thinking. Without the right amount of sleep for your body (7-9 hours per night for ages 18-60) you may experience irritability, decreased concentration, attention deficits, distractibility, poor motivation, fatigue, lack of energy, restlessness and incoordination.
According to The Newport institute, between 70 and 96 percent of college students are getting less than eight hours of sleep each weeknight, and 50 percent are getting fewer than seven hours (www.newpoerinstitute.com). Sleep is so important that a whole week each year is dedicated to educating about it. This year the Sleep Awareness week is from March 9-15.
We at UHCS have planned a few different activities that will help UWW students understand the importance of sleep, how to get into a daily routine that helps promote better sleep, and understanding where you could possibly be going wrong day after day to get the optimal amount of sleep needed for you. Did you know that the top reason for sleep deprivation in college students and other young adults is technology use? The blue light from screens blocks the release of melatonin (a hormone that is produced in the brain and plays a crucial role in the sleep wake cycle).
We will have some info packets regarding this. We will also have some freebies to hand out (we know you love your freebies) that promote better sleep and be handing out The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire that assess sleep quality over a one-month time frame. Watch our Facebook (UW-W University Health and Counseling Services) and Instagram (uwwuhcs) pages for detailed information about our upcoming event.