Every morning when I hear the shrill siren of my alarm, I immediately regret staying up far too late the evening before. Whether it’s hours of studying or being engrossed in scrolling, missing sleep is a sacrifice that does more harm than good.
Your body needs sleep to function properly. While asleep, your body gets the chance to rest after a long day working. If you do not achieve enough rest, your brain’s ability to process information and think quickly deteriorates. The average high schooler should be getting eight to ten hours of sleep every night, which I know most of you reading this do not do! To change your bad habits of not getting enough sleep, review the list of tips below.
Avoid caffeine in the later hours of the day. Caffeine normally lasts for four to six hours, so caffeine later in the day likely stays in your system while you are trying to sleep.
Try not to nap during the day. Keep your sleep schedule consistent by only sleeping at night.
Limit screen time before bed. Screens are known to emit blue light and suppress melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep.
Regulate your homework habits. Instead of procrastinating your school work early in the day and leaving your homework for the evening, focus on getting a start on homework as soon as possible after school.
Sleep in a calm environment. A dark and quiet room works best to quiet your mind in order to fall asleep.
Getting enough sleep may seem impossible with the demands of daily life, but prioritizing rest is one of the best choices you can make to benefit your health.