vectis
Jedi
I'll put this in the Creative section as prose: It is the last report I completed (for a Technical Writing class) on sleep deprivation. I also had to do a study on sleep deprivation for a Psychology class; where I have had to do a lot of research on the topic. The biggest problem with this is my lack of notes, references (or Work Cited) page. Yet I would invite anyone interested in this topic to search the internet for "sleep deprivation" or "sleep studies" - paying particular attention to "scientific level" studies and reports. It is plain to me that sleep deprivation is a major problem with the human condition.
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Recognizing the potentially detrimental effects of sleep deprivation, a number of medical schools are now beginning to rethink the 60 to 130 hours a week that medical interns and residents routinely work. But lack of sleep isn’t a problem just for physicians in training. In fact, as your supervisor at the campus health center has recently pointed out, research shows that too many of today’s college students get too little sleep. Some experts, he explained, believe that five and a half to six hours represents the core minimum amount of sleep necessary to function. Yet many college students report getting much less sleep than this minimum, especially during exam periods. To increase awareness of the consequences of going without sleep, your supervisor has asked you to prepare a one-page handout on sleep deprivation, to be added to the packet of information the health center distributes to students at the beginning of each semester. Do some research on the physical and mental effects of long periods without sleep, and then prepare an expanded definition of sleep deprivation for this handout.
The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
College is an exciting and demanding experience for people of all ages and from all walks of life. The excitement and demands of the college experience do affect one of the most important and over-looked aspects of living – SLEEP. Sleep deprivation is actually very detrimental towards a successful college experience. Lack of adequate sleep, which may seem so necessary to a busy college student, is actually counter-productive as many recent studies prove.
While long term health risks (high blood pressure, increased onset of diabetes, fibromyalgia, etc) should be considered as far reaching effects of inadequate sleep habits over a long period of time; the college student must consider the short-term effects of sleep deprivation on a day to day basis. Many students get even less sleep during exam times, which again must be noted, is actually counter-productive to positive study habits and good grades.
Consider these effects of short term sleep deprivation: Short term memory loss for instant recall of information; Long term memory loss for retention of learned information; increased heart rate which leads to increased feelings of stress and anxiety, and also symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder); plus emotional confusion including irritability and unexplained anger or crying fits. These are high prices to pay for pushing an “all nighter” study crunch.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Remember to keep adequate sleep on the top of the priority list when it comes to being a good student. Choose a regular bedtime schedule and get in the habit of getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Avoid caffeine and energy drinks later in the day, so you will be relaxed enough to sleep at bedtime. Try to avoid long naps in the daytime. Try to avoid sleeping pills, as these disrupt the normal sleep cycle in the long run. Warm milk, or a natural Melatonin supplement both may help with falling asleep and staying asleep at bedtime. The old saying is true: Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise!
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Recognizing the potentially detrimental effects of sleep deprivation, a number of medical schools are now beginning to rethink the 60 to 130 hours a week that medical interns and residents routinely work. But lack of sleep isn’t a problem just for physicians in training. In fact, as your supervisor at the campus health center has recently pointed out, research shows that too many of today’s college students get too little sleep. Some experts, he explained, believe that five and a half to six hours represents the core minimum amount of sleep necessary to function. Yet many college students report getting much less sleep than this minimum, especially during exam periods. To increase awareness of the consequences of going without sleep, your supervisor has asked you to prepare a one-page handout on sleep deprivation, to be added to the packet of information the health center distributes to students at the beginning of each semester. Do some research on the physical and mental effects of long periods without sleep, and then prepare an expanded definition of sleep deprivation for this handout.
The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
College is an exciting and demanding experience for people of all ages and from all walks of life. The excitement and demands of the college experience do affect one of the most important and over-looked aspects of living – SLEEP. Sleep deprivation is actually very detrimental towards a successful college experience. Lack of adequate sleep, which may seem so necessary to a busy college student, is actually counter-productive as many recent studies prove.
While long term health risks (high blood pressure, increased onset of diabetes, fibromyalgia, etc) should be considered as far reaching effects of inadequate sleep habits over a long period of time; the college student must consider the short-term effects of sleep deprivation on a day to day basis. Many students get even less sleep during exam times, which again must be noted, is actually counter-productive to positive study habits and good grades.
Consider these effects of short term sleep deprivation: Short term memory loss for instant recall of information; Long term memory loss for retention of learned information; increased heart rate which leads to increased feelings of stress and anxiety, and also symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder); plus emotional confusion including irritability and unexplained anger or crying fits. These are high prices to pay for pushing an “all nighter” study crunch.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Remember to keep adequate sleep on the top of the priority list when it comes to being a good student. Choose a regular bedtime schedule and get in the habit of getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Avoid caffeine and energy drinks later in the day, so you will be relaxed enough to sleep at bedtime. Try to avoid long naps in the daytime. Try to avoid sleeping pills, as these disrupt the normal sleep cycle in the long run. Warm milk, or a natural Melatonin supplement both may help with falling asleep and staying asleep at bedtime. The old saying is true: Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise!
