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Jawbone recently released surprising findings from its research into students’ sleep habits: many students actually get the minimum amount of sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. Though you may also get at least seven hours of sleep each night, it’s important to dedicate time and effort to establishing solid sleep habits. That way you’ll always have enough energy to perform at your best in the classroom and in life in general.
The study analyzed data from students at over 100 colleges across the U.S. who track their fitness with the popular sleep tracker. Interestingly, analysis of the data also found that the average bedtimes of students correlated to their college’s rank on the U.S. News and World Report 2016 college rankings. Students at higher ranked schools stayed up later, after midnight, throughout the week, than other schools.
Looking to Catch More Zs?
Your sleep can be affected by many factors, but here are four general tips to help you maximize the quality of your time between the sheets:
- Limit caffeine consumption, especially after 3pm. That late afternoon pick-me-up’s effect can extend long beyond after you put the coffee cup down!
- Don’t hit snooze on the weekends. Since waking up late on Saturday and Sunday can throw off your schedule for the rest of the week, limit sleeping in to no more than an hour later than normal on the weekends.
- Give your mind enough time to wind down. Stop using technology thirty minutes before you plan to hit the hay and don’t do anything too strenuous during that time either.
- Tire yourself out! Get daily exercise, either by walking to class, playing a sport or working a job that keeps you on your feet.
How Much Sleep Do You Actually Need?
Most adults need eight hours a night, but individual needs vary. Keep a log of your sleep to help you figure out how many hours are optimal for you, and remember that oversleeping is just as a big of a problem as not sleeping enough. It can increase health risks later on in life and also affect your diet, leading to weight gain or weight-related illnesses and conditions.
Your mother wasn’t lying — a good night’s sleep can cure almost anything! Good sleep is key, so be sure to make it a priority.