Survey finds half of students can't sleep

Campus Health has a simple solution for students who want better grades, better health and a better mood: Go to bed.

Campus Health surveyed 1,837 UA students living in residence halls last fall to measure the typical sleeping habits of the students. More than half of all the students said they have trouble sleeping.

In order to promote the benefits of getting plenty of sleep, a $2,500 grant from the Pacific Coast College Health Association has allowed Campus Health officials to sponsor the "Go to Bed" campaign and the University of Arizona Quality of Sleep Project.

The project and campaign are intended to encourage students to take advantage of the often-overlooked health benefits of a lifestyle that includes plenty of hours of sleep, said Lee Ann Hamilton, Principle Investigator and Health Educator.

"People think about working out, they think about eating healthier, they take their multivitamins, but they really shortchange the sleep," Hamilton said.

Although most people require between six to nine hours of sleep per night to function optimally, the survey found that UA students get an average of 6.7 hours of sleep per night. Those findings mean many students are more tired and stressed than they need to be, Hamilton said.

The survey also found that in the past month, 54 percent of students have fallen asleep in class, 85 percent have taken a nap during the day and 36 percent have pulled an "all-nighter." Only 16 percent said they feel well-rested when they wake up in the morning at least 5 days a week.

Hamilton said the most common issues preventing students from getting the sleep they needed were roommates, noise, stress and illness.

Hamilton said insufficient sleep affects many aspects of students' well-being, including their immune systems, ability to concentrate and emotional health.

If I go to bed too early, I just lay in bed and I'm awake anyway. - Ross Gwynn, mechanical engineering senior

"It's really hard on a body," Hamilton said.

Clarissa Aranda, an undeclared freshman, said since she doesn't get the amount of sleep she'd like to feel her best, she is starting to feel the physical effects take a toll on her body.

"I'm constantly tired," Aranda said, "It's non-stop."

Aranda said she attributes her inadequate amount of sleep to academic stresses and inability to effectively manage her time. To cope, Aranda said she has started relying on

medicinal assistance to fall asleep at night and to keep her awake during the day.

"I take Tylenol PM at night and No-Doz in the morning, but I want to start (falling asleep and waking up) naturally," Aranda said.

Ross Gwynn, a mechanical engineering senior, said his routine of getting four to six hours of sleep a night is not even close to the 10 hours he needs to feel his best.

Gwynn says he has sleeping problems like waking up in a sweat in the middle of the night, and would like to be able to fall asleep earlier than his usual 1 a.m. bedtime.

"If I go to bed too early, I just lay in bed and I'm awake anyway," Gwynn said.

Hamilton says students can help prepare themselves for a good night's sleep by exercising, avoiding caffeine and nicotine in the evenings and setting a relatively regular sleep schedule. Most importantly, Hamilton said, students should be able to sense whether or not they are functioning at their best.

"Pay attention to your body," she said.