Help Your Student Get Quality Sleep
Many college students underestimate the need for a good night's sleep. Due to the stresses of classes and jobs, the independence of living away from home and a very active social scene that can be found on almost every campus, it is very easy to fall into a pattern of poor sleeping habits. Unfortunately, not getting enough sleep is more harmful than students might think.

Here are a few suggestions from the experts that you can share with your student to help him improve the quality of his sleep.

• Try to go to bed at the same time every night.
  
• Don't make your bed a key study space.
  
• Realize that alcohol does not help people sleep.
  
• Avoid watching the clock.
  
• Establish a relaxing routine (taking a bath, listening to music) to do about a half hour before bed.
  
• Consider using "white noise" to help you fall asleep (like a fan).
  
• Try to make your bed as comfortable as possible.
  
• Finish eating about two hours before bed.
  
• Avoid exercise right before bed — a workout in late afternoon is ideal, because it gives your body adequate time to cool down (and a dropping body temperature is what the brain associates with sleep).

Here's wishing your student a good night's sleep.

Sources: The Centers for Disease Control; www.sleepfoundation.org; www.sleep-deprivation.com

National Sleep Awareness Week is March 7 – 13.
Find more info at www.sleepfoundation.org.