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September 13, 2004
High demands hurt sleep
Desiree McDonald
Mesa Legend
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As a new semester begins, students get back into old routines of classes, homework, jobs, and socializing. Students often find themselves overwhelmed with the pressures of managing such busy lives. As they struggle to meet legitimate demands, they far too often place sleep last on a long list of priorities.
Professor James B. Maas from Cornell University intently studied the seriousness of sleep deprivation, especially among students. In the 84th Annual Convention for the Western Psychological Association held this last spring, Maas explained that students, more than anyone, are sleep deprived. He theorized that brain imagery research proves students need 9.25 hours of sleep each night. On average, the amount of sleep obtained by ten random MCC students was only 4.8 hours, which is barely over half the amount of sleep recommended by Professor Maas.
“ I am a night owl, and I can’t fall asleep early. I would enjoy to sleep in, but I can’t afford it,” said MCC student Lejlah Hadzic.
So why are students sleeping so little? It is the result of too many high demands. “Approximately two-thirds of students are holding jobs,” observes Dr. Skip Pollock. For students, different pressures come from many angles. Studies, work, and social obligations are the main, but not only stresses for college students.
Sleep deprivation is not simply just a “loss of sleep,” It has many negative effects, and should be taken seriously. Moodiness, irritability, anxiety, and unusual reactivity are some behavioral side effects. “Tests were given, and objects were thrown in front of vehicles driven by intoxicated drivers, and sleep deprived drivers,” says Dr. Pollock as she recollects Professor Maas’ lecture.
“Although the objects were hit by both vehicles, the intoxicated driver acknowledged it, whereas the tired driver didn’t.” Serious disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle can also occur, which can eventually lead to insomnia. Exhausted people are also very prone to viruses, because the immune system begins to deteriorate. “Eighty percent of students are sleep deprived and they don’t even know it,” comments Dr. Pollock.
But what can students do to help ensure better sleeping hours? “Prioritize and let go of unimportant tasks. Making a ‘to-do’ list can help with deadlines”, says Cindy Hohulin from Student Health Services. Avoiding habitual caffeine drinking can also help students feel more relaxed and able to fall asleep.
Ultimately, students need to realize that in order to demonstrate their maximum potential, they simply need to get more sleep.
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