NewsNet Editorial Board
'Early to bed, early to rise...'
Most college students roll their eyes at the sound of that motherly advice. But the BYU student body would do well to listen up and obey.
The droopy eyes of thousands of BYU students are often self-prescribed and could be awakened and refreshed with a bit of prioritizing. Midnight movies, dates and homework often keep students from healthy, consistent sleeping patterns.
But, students who choose those 'glamorous' activities over nightly rest may be in for more than they ever imagined.
Research has shown that people need an average of eight hours of sleep each night. However, a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation showed only one-third of Americans get the recommended amount of rest. In fact, the national average is only six hours and 54 minutes of sleep each night. As a result, the foundation president Richard Gelusla said, this country is a 'society with partial sleep deprivation.'
And Americans in their 20s are definitely among the deprived. In fact, Gelusla said the college-age group probably averages four hours of rest each night.
Although many BYU students may feel secure in or near that four-hour range, they are not aware of the side effects of their sleepless nights.
According to a study done by Brown University, sleep deprivation accounts for more than a few extra yawns. Sleepless nights detract from the ability to learn. Sleep deprivation also makes people more susceptible to illness because white blood cell levels are lowered by exhaustion.
Sleep deprivation reduces growth hormone and drops metabolic rates.
Although BYU students may argue otherwise, fatigue and sleep deprivation are serious problems.
According to a 1998 article in Chatelaine magazine, fatigue caused the Challenger space shuttle disaster and other deadly accidents.
While tired BYU students may not be the cause of future aircraft disasters, their sleepyhead habits does drastically diminish their daily productivity.
How can students expect to fully benefit from class lectures and assignments after receiving an average of only four or five hours of sleep?
Gelusla said problem-solving skills and attention spans - two things essential in most classroom settings - dwindle among the sleep-deprived.
Indeed, irregular sleep patterns are unhealthy; and students could improve their daily productivity by waking up to the reality of their damaging sleepyhead behaviors.
Some students may argue that their sleepyhead behavior is only temporary, merely a college-life necessity. But according to the Brown study, fatigue and deprivation often develop into chronic problems.
BYU students need to open their droopy eyes and wake up to the reality of sleep deprivation. It's time to heed the counsel of wise mothers and be 'early to bed.'