Study finds students need more ZZZs

By Ashton Smith, contributing writer
Posted on September 13, 2007

JMU students might want to start considering just how much their sleep is worth.

“It seems natural that it plays a part in consolidating memories, enhancing cognitive power because sleep is a time when your body and brain repairs and rejuvenates itself,” said Dr. Stephen Rodgers, the medical director at the University Health Center.

A New York Times article reported that sleep may help “integrate important facts, memories and emotional impressions recorded from the previous day.”

Sleep has five stages, with the first four grouped as non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and the fifth as rapid eye movement (REM).  The first four stages start as a light sleep and continue into a heavy sleep.  The REM stage is where dreams occur, and one complete cycle of the stages takes about an hour.  However, if this cycle is interrupted, the quality of sleep lessens.

While quality sounds more important than quantity, some JMU students say they function better after a full night’s sleep. 

 “I definitely notice differences,” junior Virginia Marstin said.  “I’m not as competent nor do I take in as much if I don’t get at least seven to mine hours of sleep at night.”

While some students notice a difference right away, others say it takes a little longer for their lack of sleep to kick in. 

 “When I don’t get enough sleep, I don’t see any difference in how I am in the first class, but once I get to my second or third class I have a lot more trouble concentrating,” junior Kristin Otte said.

Lack of sleep soon leads to physical problems, such as high blood pressure or emotional trouble, according to the New York Times. Rodgers said it could affect more than that.

“Some [students] actually say [complain of] fatigue or exhaustion and others note more illness, aches and pains, especially headaches, migraines, more than usual,” he said.

Rodgers said the the University Health Center does see sleep deprived students.

“Exam weeks are especially busy for illness and lack of sleep and can make students more susceptible to colds, flu, strep and similar contagious illnesses,” Rodgers said.   

Some students find that colds are a common occurrence. 

“I definitely get colds more often since I’ve been at school than I do when I’m at home over the summer,” Otte said.

While some students fight off sickness, others say that their mood is affected by a lack of sleep. 

 “I am more irritable when I don’t get enough sleep,” junior John Hughes said. 

Senior Natalie Roberts agreed, and added that she has trouble concentrating. 

Rodgers offered a piece of advice to help keep students stay well rested.

“Schedule the right amount of time for sleep with a regular bedtime, exercise regularly, avoid stimulants after 4 p.m., avoid too many naps, and the environment is important:  have a dark cool room,” Rodgers said.  “Pace yourselves during finals, prepare ahead to not have to cram, and allow enough time for pleasure breaks to refresh your body and mind.”