Reading Time: 7 minutesSleep deprivation is a significant issue in today’s world. The term sleep deprivation means you are not getting enough sleep. It is not a specific sleeping disorder but rather the result of another illness or is due to life circumstances.
Sleep Deprivation in College Students is a Bigger Problem Than You Think
Johns Hopkins states that the most common reasons for sleep deprivation are sleep disorders, aging, disease, and some stress.
We tend to think of college students the same way we think of house cats – they will sleep anywhere, at any time, for as long as possible. The reality, however, is that many college students don’t get enough sleep, and when they do, it’s not quality sleep. That has a direct impact on classroom performance and can also put stress on the student’s physical and emotional health.
And according to Stanford Medicine:
Sleep deprivation increases the likelihood that teens will suffer from negative consequences such as an inability to concentrate, poor grades, depression, and anxiety.
For those reasons, it’s essential to understand the causes of sleep deprivation in college students and how to spot symptoms of the problem.
Table of Contents
- Causes of Sleep Deprivation in College Students
- Signs of Sleep Deprivation
- Health Risks of Sleep Deprivation
- How to Get Better Sleep
- Benefits of Good Sleep
- Beloit Mattress Can Handmake You the Key to Better Sleep
- The Perfect Gift for College Students
- Frequently Asked Questions
Causes of Sleep Deprivation in College Students
College is a fun and exciting time for most students. Stepping out on their own and learning more about the world is integral to growing up. Everyone’s college experience is a little bit different, but some factors that affect sleep tend to be universal, such as:
Freedom
For the first time, college students don’t have anyone to tell them how to use their time. Many stay up late socializing and enjoying dorm life when they should be sleeping. Although this is a part of learning and growing up, it can impact their overall health and well-being.
Stress
The combined demands of classes, clubs, and extracurricular activities can put a lot of stress on a college student’s shoulders. It’s often necessary to sacrifice sleep to get everything done on time. This is something we see a move from college years into adulthood, so learning to cope now can significantly benefit someone later in life as well.
Environment
Sometimes the problem is not the student himself but the environment around him. Living in a dorm, fraternity, or campus house with loud music, bad HVAC system, and noisy neighbors can make it much harder to get restful sleep. Add to that an uncomfortable mattress and little to no control of the room’s temperature, and you may find yourself in poor sleeping conditions.
Social Expectations
So often, we see an issue with sleep deprivation because of society’s importance on “staying busy.” This is true for even college students. Pressures of staying involved in campus life, making all the social connections possible, and receiving the best grades are all social expectations that college students are pressured by.
Signs of Sleep Deprivation
Everyone has trouble sleeping from time to time, and one late night may not significantly impact your overall well-being. But making a habit of late nights combined with early mornings can affect your physical and mental health.
Sleep deprivation is when you regularly have trouble sleeping, affecting your mood and performance in your waking life.
If you’ve been suffering from sleep deprivation for some time now, check out “Sleep Deprivation: Exploring Sleep Quality in Both Genders” to better understand the steps needed to prevent and treat the problem.
If you have children in college or are a college student yourself, be mindful of these common signs of sleep deprivation for students:
- Falling asleep when you did not intend to – in class or at a movie.
- Having difficulty focusing and retaining information.
- Experiencing moodiness and irritability more often or with greater intensity.
- Getting sick regularly and showing signs of a compromised immune symptom
- Struggling with slower reaction time and increased proneness to accidents
- Craving carbs, sweets, and high-fat foods and drinks more frequently.
- It is taking longer than usual to wake up in the morning.
Health Risks of Sleep Deprivation
Many may believe that sleep deprivation is not a serious matter, but the truth is there are a lot of significant health risks that often come with a lack of sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation says that:
People aged 18-25 need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
Unfortunately, most get less than 8. And catching up on sleep on the weekends isn’t an accurate fix and creates unhealthy patterns.
According to the CDC:
Sleep deprivation can create the same level of impairment that drinking alcohol does. And drowsy driving causes an average of 328,000 motor vehicle accidents yearly in the US.
These statistics alone are reasons to start prioritizing sleep, but they are not the only health issue.
Studies conducted by sleep expert Dr. Mary Carskadon, director of chronobiology and sleep research at Bradley Hospital, show that half of the teens she evaluated were so tired in the morning that they showed signs of patients with narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a significant sleep disorder where patients nod off and fall directly into REM sleep, which can be dangerous for the patient and those around them.
Stress management is another issue when it comes to sleep deprivation. Those who lack sleep struggle more with stress management, creating a cycle of stress. Stress about school keeps them up late studying, then lack of sleep creates an issue with concentration and inability to handle stress, thus continuing the sleep deprivation cycle.
Depression and anxiety are also health conditions caused by sleep deprivation. Although often there are underlying issues for these conditions, lack of sleep can magnify the side effects and cause more problems than before.
Weight gain and health conditions due to weight gain are significant concerns regarding sleep deprivation side effects. It is shown that your risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes are all higher when lack of sleep is an issue.
In addition to these health risks, lower grade point averages are seen by people with sleep deprivation. Contrary to popular belief, sacrificing sleep to study for an exam or get more work done can lead to you retaining less information and getting poorer grades.
How to Get Better Sleep
College students living in dorms often find themselves with poor sleeping conditions. But you can do a few things to help promote healthy sleep, even in environments that may not be ideal.
The key to getting better sleep is establishing healthy sleeping habits. Some call these habits to sleep hygiene.
By taking steps to change your current habits and create new, healthy ones, like the suggestions below, you could be on your way to better sleep in no time.
Solutions to sleep deprivation in students include:
- First, you must make the conscious decision that sleep is a priority. By avoiding distractions and procrastination, you can help yourself stay on schedule.
- Limit caffeine later in the afternoon. This will help your body naturally relax as your bedtime gets near.
- Try to avoid bright screens within an hour of your bedtime. Not only can what is on the screens be entertaining and keep us awake, but the actual light from the screen also plays a part.
- Be consistent in your routine. Your body will begin to adjust quickly, and you will find it easier to fall asleep if you stick to a routine.
- Make sure your bed is comfortable and welcoming. Washing your sheets regularly and adding a mattress topper can help make your bed inviting and enjoyable.
Benefits of Good Sleep
So once you have started a new routine and get the sleep your body needs, what are some positive side effects that you will see?
We are glad you asked!
There are so many benefits of getting good sleep. Some of those benefits include:
- Maintaining a Healthy Weight – Much like lack of sleep can cause weight gain, proper sleep can help your body regulate and maintain a healthy weight.
- Better Concentration – After a whole night’s rest, you will be more alert, making it easier to concentrate on the tasks at hand and for a more extended amount of time.
- Great Mood– Being rested also helps to keep you in a good mood. Being tired makes you easily irritable and annoyed. But with better sleep, you can improve your mood and interactions with others.
- Better Immune System– Sleep gives your body the time it needs to recover from day-to-day wear and tear. This can also help boost your immune system, making you a healthier version of yourself due to ample sleep.
- Longer Life Expectancy– Studies show that those who sleep less than the necessary hours for their age group have a shorter life expectancy. This could also be an effect of the compromised immune system that can occur from lack of sleep. Because of these issues, consistently getting good sleep can increase your life expectancy.
Free Sleep Guide
A Key to Better Sleep
There are a lot of simple behavior and lifestyle changes that can eliminate the common causes of sleep deprivation in students. But the problem could run more profound than that.
University mattresses are often cheap, older, and worn out from years of usage.
Add that to a loud roommate and changing room temperatures; getting a good night’s rest can be near impossible.
Yet even in perfect sleeping conditions, sleeping on a bad mattress is hard.
Don’t let something this simple jeopardize the college experience and hinder their ability to achieve their goals.
Instead, give your college student the one dorm essential that can help them succeed academically, our Dormtopper. This topper is comfortable, and the luxurious materials take it to the next level.
Every handmade topper will find materials like New Zealand wool, gel-infused poly foam, and bamboo quilting.
Your College student will be happy they have a comfortable place to rest their head after those long days of class and activities. Make sure they don’t miss a night of good sleep by gifting them a luxurious mattress topper before their semester starts!
It’s affordable and comes with free shipping!
Shop our DormTopper
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Sleep Deprivation Affect Students?
The effects of sleep deprivation on students can be seen in multiple ways. Lack of sleep can create poorer grades, social issues such as irritability and seclusion, and health issues that include weight gain, depression, and anxiety.
What Causes Sleep Deprivation In Students?
Sleep deprivation in students is seen for many reasons. New-found freedom, social expectations, technology, and environment can all play a role in a student’s sleep deprivation.
How Do Students Fix Sleep Deprivation?
The best way to fix sleep deprivation is to have a routine and stick to it. Cutting out caffeine late in the day, turning off bright screens an hour before bed, and ensuring your sleep space is clean and comfortable are some of the top things you can add to your nighttime routine.
Is Sleep Deprivation Common In Students?
Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is widespread among students. Quality sleep can seem unattainable between school work, social engagements, and even some work hours. But these are the times when rest is the most important, so taking steps for better sleep is crucial.
Related Resources
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