Preventing Sleep Deprivation

Written by: Deborah Olawale

We are coming to the end of online learning for the winter semester, and we have faced the impossible of learning online during a pandemic. It can be easy to lose our motivation, but as students and professors, we have been tested to change the way we look at learning. We must check on our mental health during this time. We may have even lost a lot of hours of sleep with this transition of online classes. When it comes to sleep for most students, it can be dreadful, especially when it’s closer to the end and with finals coming up and assignments being due around every corner, it can be challenging even to find that motivation. Sleep is essential and can sometimes be overlooked when in university. Some of us only achieve about 4 to 6 hours of sleep each night, which is less than the recommended amount of 8 hours. It is easy for us to become sleep deprived because of our schedule, and when we add working on the weekends, we are just barely getting by. Lack of sleep can hurt our mental health, and without the right amount of sleep each night, we can see the effect taking a toll on our bodies and mind. It can also lead to serious health problems after a while. Here are some tips to prevent sleep deprivation.

Best ways to prevent Sleep Deprivation:

1. Limiting daytime naps.
   Sometimes we might take daytime naps after a long night of not sleeping properly. Especially as students, we stay up into the night working on projects or staying up all night to finish, then take a nap during the day. We must avoid these situations because it will take a toll on our body and
   mind. Try avoiding naps and push it till nighttime, keep ourselves active.

2. Going to bed at the same time each night.
   This can feel impossible because we might have plans that intrude into the time we choose to go to sleep. We must be consistent and sleep at the same time each night, if that’s 11:30 pm, to get a whole night’s rest and reduce the fatigue that we may feel during the day.

3. Sticking to a schedule during vacations and weekends
   Trying to stick to a schedule during the weekend and vacations can be very difficult because we are compelled to stay up later than usual. When we stick to a plan during vacations and
   weekends, it can help prevent sleep deprivation.

4. Waking up at the same time each morning
   We must wake up at the same time each day, getting our bodies into a routine that allows for us to sleep for 8 hours and feel energized to take on the day. It can be hard sometimes. We might even oversleep because our bodies and mind needed it, and that okay, but keeping to that schedule will help us in the long run.

5. Exercise regularly
   When we exercise, it is essential to remember that we do not work out close to the time we go to bed. It can be a lot harder for us to fall asleep because our bodies and mind have been active only 30mins ago. Try working out early in the morning or in the afternoon to prevent this from happening.

It is close to the end of this semester, and we have face so many challenges, and it is good to know that you can take a break. Knowing where you are mentally can sometimes be challenging, especially if you feel alone. It can be hard to open up to those around you, and the school offers counselling during these difficult times. Knowing you aren’t alone and there is always someone here is essential. We have to reach out to those who might be struggling and offer them a helping hand during these times, being there for them in their time of need. Don’t forget to check out the peer wellness site for more information, events, and resources.

https://sites.google.com/concordia.ab.ca/cue-wellness/home?authuser=0

Volunteer on campus and join the Peer Support Program and Peer Wellness if you want to find ways to reach others and be a helping hand for those who need it.