Editor's note: In The WellNest Watch, master's degree candidates in the public health program at EMU's School of Health Promotion and Human Performance explore news, research and standard practices in the field of health and wellness.
Ebrima Jobarteh is a graduate assistant in EMU's Office of Health Promotion.
What if I told you that “Burning the Midnight Candle” is a myth, and that the secret to achieving high grade point averages is right within your reach? College students are notorious for being night owls, constantly seeking resources to improve their grades. In the process, they accumulate stress, gain weight and lack focus in class. They overlook a crucial element — adequate quality sleep — because they view the contrary as the solution to their academic problems.
Sleep is one of the most natural health behaviors in humans. It is a reversible behavioral state marked by sustained withdrawal from, and reduced responsiveness to, the surrounding environment. On average, science has shown that adolescents and adults ought to have at least 7 hours of sleep. Adequate sleep improves thought processing, enhances the body-mind relationship, and significantly promotes better heart health, systemic metabolism and blood flow. For college students, adequate quality sleep enables them to have a fresh start in the morning, think better in class, maintain a healthy weight and ultimately get better grades.
Negative health outcomes like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and ultimately, a shortened lifespan ensue from poor and inadequate sleep. Sleep deprivation exposes one to greater health risks, which could affect their professional careers in the future. As public health professionals, we encourage this vibrant population to invest in sleep and protect their health.
Contributors to the WellNest Watch health column are Kegan Tulloch and Ebrima Jobarteh, graduate assistants in the Office of Health Promotions and Shafaat Ali Choyon and Nathaniel King, graduate hall directors in the Department of Residential Life. All four are master's degree candidates in the Public Health Program from the School of Public Health Promotion and Human Performance at Eastern Michigan University.
