There’s nothing that college students immensely value and yet routinely sacrifice as much as sleep. Most people immediately before nodding off for a night’s rest will routinely check their phones to set a morning alarm or to scroll through the latest social media feeds. Our mobile devices are now a necessity during every single moment of our lives, from waking up all the way to going to sleep. The National Sleep Foundation found that close to all adults under 30 years old - 96% total - use a technological device in the bedroom a hour before sleeping.1 So in what ways is using technology before sleep actually harmful and how can these effects be reduced?
Sleep is really important – at least, that’s what we’ve been told our entire lives. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve been told to get at least seven hours of sleep - but, does that ever really happen? The answer is: probably not, especially in college. So how does sleep deprivation affect our academic and social lives here as students at Rice?
I'll be the first to admit: I love napping. I basically embody the quote by Winnie the Pooh, “Let’s begin by taking a smallish nap or two…”
Is this good for our bodies, though? Will napping before starting your projects or homework really make you more efficient?
Research has shown that 20-minute power naps can boost short-term motor skills, whereas naps that last an hour can aid in increased creativity2. However, a nap that longer than an hour can make you feel...
