Benefits of a good night’s sleep

Why college students should sleep just as much as they study

Oluwatomike Bali
Staff Writer

It is pretty obvious that sleep is beneficial to our body. Although we might not fully comprehend what sleep does to us, we know that if we go without sleep for too long it makes our body feel terrible. On the other hand, when we do get enough, our body feels recharged and ready to take on tasks of the day.

Studies conducted by scientists show the amount of sleep a person gets in a day plays a vital role in the immune functions of the body, as well as metabolism, memory, learning and other vital functions. These discoveries lead us to understanding some of the benefits of a sound sleep.

With the semester coming to an end, many students might believe this is the best time to skip sleep, and put in all efforts towards improving their grades. However, chances are that not getting enough sleep might affect your ability to do better. So, if your plan is to get a better grade in a class that you’re staying up all night for, it is important to get enough sleep while putting in the hard work.

Here are some reasons why a good night sleep is beneficial.

Sleeping adequately improves your body’s immune function: Getting at least eight hours of sleep a day can vastly help your body’s immune system and help fight the common cold.

Good sleepers tend to eat fewer calories: Sleeping less affects the hormones that regulate our appetite.

Sleeping well can improve productivity and concentration: Adequate amounts of sleep can maximize problem-solving skills and enhance memory. On the contrary, poor sleep has been shown to impair brain function.

Poor sleep is linked to depression: Poor sleeping patterns are strongly linked to depression, particularly for those with a sleeping disorder.

Sleeping less can make you gain weight: People who sleep less tend to weigh more than those who get an adequate amount of sleep at night.

Inadequate sleep can affect social and emotional interactions: Sleep deprivation may reduce your social skills and ability to recognize people’s emotional expressions. It can also reduce your ability to interact socially.

With all these benefits of getting adequate sleep mentioned above, my advice to everyone would be to always get enough sleep to be productive. It is also important to see a doctor if you find it difficult to sleep at night.

Feature photo by Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter.