Health Education and Promotion (HEP) would like to thank Andrew Poh for his Nov. 7 article about insomnia. This topic is probably familiar to many UC Davis students. In fact, according to the 2011 American College Health Association National College Health Assessment, 66.2 percent of students say that they feel tired or sleepy three or more days out of the week.
There are many benefits to getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night: Sleep helps fight off infection, enhances performance, increases energy levels, decreases stress levels, sharpens concentration and improves memory function. These benefits can even help improve academic performance.
Practicing good sleep hygiene is important to getting a good night’s sleep. It is a good idea to maintain a regular sleeping schedule and reduce technology use an hour before bedtime. Create a sanctuary for sleep that is quiet, dark, comfortable and a desirable temperature. To help with reducing distractions, HEP provides free eye masks and earplugs that can be picked up at the HEP office on the third floor of the Student Health and Wellness Center.
If you experience long-term problems with sleep difficulties, you can always schedule an appointment with your provider at the Student Health and Wellness Center.
Sweet Dreams,
Kathleen Yumul
Sleep, Stress and Mental Health Student Assistant
Health Education and Promotion
