Let's Get Some Sleep

If I asked you, "When was the last time you pulled an all-nighter?" or "When was the last time you woke up feeling tired." You probably wouldn't have to think much about it to come up with the answer. However, if I asked you, "When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?", would you be able to recall that day as easily? I'm talking about the GOOD kind of sleep, the type you feel well-rested, healthy, and ready to get your day going. Unfortunately, sometimes, it feels like it is easier to win the lottery than to be a well-rested college student. In fact, I'm sure you have seen the image below- a triangle representing sleep, good grades, and social life and asking you to pick two out of the three.

While it may seem impossible to achieve success across all dimensions, it is manageable if you learn to prioritize, and the most important thing to prioritize is your health. As Plato famously quoted, "The part can never be well unless the whole is well." Being well-rested will allow you to perform better across all other aspects of being a college student. Here are three easy things you can add to your bedtime routine that will help you fall asleep faster.

Drink caffeine-free tea: Teas such as Chamomile, Valerian Root, and Lavender have been used for centuries as natural remedies that promote sleep. Whether the ingredients in the tea help you fall asleep faster or not, you are still conditioning your body to associate that tea with bedtime. Getting in the mindset that is time to relax and rest can be incredibly beneficial to a good night's rest.

Turn off that phone! Our brains interpret light as a time to be awake and productive. When you shed the light of your phone screen into your eyes, it is continuously giving your brain signals that you should be awake. Putting the phone away at least one hour before going to bed can help you get in that rest time mindset, and as a result, help you fall asleep easier. 

Read a book. A great alternative to being on your phone late at night is to read something light before going to bed. This could be the perfect opportunity to re-read the Harry Potter series you keep telling yourself you'll read again or to flip over the pages of a novel you haven't had time to read.