Many WSU students are looking worn out and tired, sleeping in morning lectures, on the lawns, even curled up on couches in the Student Center.
It's no mystery that college students are one of the most sleep-deprived groups. From all-nighters cramming for the big test to wild parties that don't stop until eight in the morning, the stereotypical college student should be trying to count more sheep, because sleep deprivation may be detrimental on their health presently, and even more severely later on.
Dr. Chris Drake, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at Wayne State, said that anything less than six hours of sleep a night is when things take a turn for the worse.
Drake also states that constant sleep loss reverses hormones that monitor appetite. A decrease in leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, along with an increase in ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, can become problematic, leading to unhealthy weight gain.
More long-term effects can be much worse, resulting in diabetes and even the development of heart conditions. Long-term sleep deprivation can even result in psychological illnesses, including depression and substance abuse.
Other health factors can be short-term, resulting in poor decision making, and even moments of inattention, which could lead to things as severe as car accidents.
Many Wayne State students claimed they didn't receive an amount of sleep that they thought they needed to perform at their best, due to early classes and late nights with friends and work.
When told about the certain consequences for little sleep, several students seemed shocked, and still said they wouldn't change their sleeping habits.
For people who believe they are suffering from lack of sleep, the U.S. National Institutes of Health offers some rather easy changes one can make to insure a healthier lifestyle.
Exercising and sticking to a regular sleep schedule all week long are the first steps to take to get on the right track. Students should avoid large meals, nicotine, caffeine and alcohol before bed. But relaxing a few hours before bed is beneficial. Taking hot baths, reading, and listening to soothing music are good choices when trying to unwind from a stressful day.
