Research showed that up to 60% of college students suffer from poor sleep quality, while around 8% of them actually suffer from insomnia (Schlarb, Friedrich, & Classen, 2017).  Sleep can become challenging and problematic due to irregular routines, and especially when there are exams, side jobs, and other social and extracurricular activities.  It is well documented that sleep problems have a significant impact on our health and daily life (Medic, Wille, & Hemels, 2017).  Lack of sleep can severely hurt our concentration and memory, ending up in poor performance and lower GPAs (Gaultney, 2010).  It also contributes to various health and immune issues, as well as anxiety and mood problems (Taylor et al., 2011).

 

More attention and interests are drawn in the science of nap in recent years (e.g. Milner & Cote, 2009; Dhand & Sohal, 2006).  Here are some benefits of taking a nap during the day:

Improve alertness Boost concentration Aid memory Enhance creativity Improve frustration tolerance Improve emotional regulation

 

Taking a nap is good for us.  Below are some tips on how to take a good nap:

Keep it brief. Napping as short as 20 minutes has benefits.  A short nap can also prevent sleep inertia and interruption with nighttime sleep.

Find a restful environment.  Reducing light and noise disturbances help to get into sleep faster.  We are more likely to doze off at slightly cooler temperatures.   Time your caffeine.  Caffeine takes some time to kick in.  Try to coordinate caffeine intake with your nap.   Dare to nap.  Dump the stereotypical belief nap is just for the lazy, the baby, or the elderly.  Nap is good for everyone, including healthy adults.

 

 

To raise students’ wellbeing awareness, SEN Support of Counseling and Wellness Center collaborates with the Library to launch this “Need-A-Pause” campaign as a pilot run in Summer 2020.  Visit “Need-A-Pause” on LG1, Library to experience a perfectly timed, energy-reviving 20-minute nap in an ergonomic nap pod with music, light and gentle vibration.

 

Resources on napping and sleep hygiene:

Counseling and Wellness Center, Sleep Hygiene leaflet

SEN Support, Napping and Special Educational Needs

National Sleep Foundation, Should you nap?

The Better Sleep Council, www.bettersleep.org

World Sleep Day, worldsleepday.org

 

References:

• Dhand, R., & Sohal, H. (2007). Good sleep, bad sleep! The role of daytime naps in healthy adults. Current Opinion in Internal Medicine, 6(1), 91–94.
• Gaultney, J. F. (2010). The Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in College Students: Impact on Academic Performance. Journal of American College Health, 59(2), 91–97. 
• Medic, G., Wille, M., & Hemels, M. (2017). Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nature and Science of Sleep, Volume 9, 151–161.
• Milner, C. E., & Cote, K. A. (2009). Benefits of napping in healthy adults: impact of nap length, time of day, age, and experience with napping. Journal of Sleep Research, 18(2), 272–281.
• Schlarb, A., Friedrich, A., & Claßen, M. (2017). Sleep problems in university students – an intervention. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Volume 13, 1989–2001.
• Taylor, D. J., Gardner, C. E., Bramoweth, A. D., Williams, J. M., Roane, B. M., Grieser, E. A., & Tatum, J. I. (2011). Insomnia and Mental Health in College Students. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 9(2), 107–116.