Catchin' Some ZZZZZ's

It’s that time of the year again folks! Midterms- that horrible time, usually in October and March, where professors test your knowledge on the material you’ve learned in your college courses so far.

College students take these few days serious as they study vigorously for hours at a time, but their sleep is kept at a minimum. What many students at CSULB and other college campuses fail to realize is that a good night’s sleep is actually extremely vital for productivity, especially during the strenuous few days of tests and papers due.

The effects that sleep has on the body include a better memory, sharper attention, healthy weight, and lowered stress. A lack of sleep can deprive students from these positive traits that sleep provides.

“I like my sleep. I live on campus and am taking 18 units this semester so I need my rest whenever I can get it,” said Samuel Ahana, second-year biology major at CSULB.

“During midterms and finals, I’m always up late studying but I try to make up for it by taking naps during my breaks in between classes.”

photo from csmonitor.com

Another healthy benefit of sleeping is that it curbs your inflammation. People who lack sleep have higher levels of inflammatory protein in the blood, therefore making their risk of developing heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and diabetes, greater.

People, especially college students would rather be doing other things in their free time from school, but sleep may not be one of them. Students still make time to work, if employed, and go out and have a social life. Some of these are done in place of sleep, which can be unhealthy.

In order to live a healthy, positive, and productive life, seven to eight hours of sleep will do the mind and body well.

Catch up on your zzz’s and don’t take it for granted because a well rested mind is prepared for anything- even those dreadful midterms.

Good luck!