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Friday, June 9, 2017

Why Sleep Matters for College Students

If you’re a college student, chances are you’re sleep deprived or not getting enough quality sleep. But sleep really matters. And this is especially true if you play sports in school, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Results from a preliminary report found that poor sleep can lead to an increased risk of substance abuse among college athletes. 

Students with sleep difficulties were found to be: 
  • 151 percent more likely to use cigarettes
  • 36 percent more likely to drink alcohol
  • 66 percent more likely to smoke marijuana
  • 317 percent more likely to use methamphetamine
  • 349 percent more likely to use cocaine
  • 175 percent more likely to use steroids

"Across the board, students with sleep difficulties were more likely to smoke, drink, and use illegal substances,” said senior author Michael Grander, PhD, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona in Tucson. 

In yet another recent sleep study, called the "SNAPSHOT study," researchers found that keeping a regular sleep pattern contributes to the happiness and well-being of college students.

"We found that week-long irregular sleep schedules are significantly associated with lower self-reported morning and evening happiness, healthiness, and calmness during the week even after controlling for weekly average sleep duration," said lead author Akane Sano, PhD, research scientist in the Media Lab Affective Computing Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

More Reasons to Prioritize Sleep
Indeed, lack of sleep has been linked with a bunch of physical and emotional health risks, including
  • Lowered immune system
  • Feeling more stressed out
  • Increased weight gain and obesity
  • Lower GPA and decreased academic performance
  • Increased mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety
  • Increased automobile accidents due to fatigue caused by “drowsy driving”
  • Decreased performance in athletics and other activities that require coordination
Healthy Possibilities
When you choose Hope Academy's rehab, you open the possibility for a whole new life. And, perhaps the best part, you don’t have to leave college behind or put career preparation on hold. We offer vocational training, college prep, and sobriety college options that allow you to pursue your dreams while you get clean. To learn more, call today: 866-930-4673. 



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