Sleep and Naps

Sleep is essential for the body and mind to recharge, it is the time when our body systems reset and recover. Young adults need around 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

sleep z's

Improve your sleep

Sleep is a vital part of well-being, but how do we know if we are getting enough sleep and how do we increase sleep? If you spend more than 30 minutes trying to fall asleep or feel fatigued all day, it might be time to assess your sleep.

A lack of sleep can cause...

  • attention lapses
  • reduced cognition
  • delayed reactions
  • mood shifts
  • increased risk for chronic diseases
  • poorer mental health
Person sleeping on library sofa at the end of hallway of bookshelves

Options to improve sleep:

Check out more tips and tricks from the National Sleep Foundation.


Nap Length

Napping is the next best thing if you can't get enough sleep at night! Ever wonder the best length of time for a nap?

  • 10-20 minutes: Ideal napping time. Boosts alertness and energy. This length limits you from entering deep sleep.
  • 30 minutes: Not so ideal. This may cause a groggy feeling for 30 minutes before you actually feel better from the nap (and make better decisions)
  • 60 minutes: Best for facts, faces and names. This nap helps improve memory and includes the deepest type of sleep. Be ready for some grogginess though.
  • 90 minutes: Full REM cycle. This nap is a full cycle of sleep and helps with improved emotional and procedural memory and creativity. This length usually has less grogginess.

Nap Stats

  • 34% of adults in the U.S. say they take a nap on a typical day.
  • Ideal nap time is 1pm-4pm.
  • Best nap length? 10-20 minutes.
  • A person who dreams during a short nap is likely sleep-deprived.
  • Naps are better than coffee at helping with memory (caffeine decreases memory function).

GVSU Nap Map

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*We'll be adding more locations soon!


Refresh

REFRESH is an 8-week sleep-health program for college students. It is based on CBT strategies for insomnia and poor sleep quality. It offers a cost-effective way for students with poor sleep quality to improve their sleep and research shows it also reduces depressive symptom severity. Here are the 8 weekly PDFs for you to utilize to improve your sleep quality. 

Citation: Trockel, M., Manber, R., Chang, V., Thurston, A., Taylor, C. B. 2011 An e-mail delivered CBT for sleep-health program for college students: effects on sleep quality and depression symptoms. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine 7(3): 276-281.

 

Other Sleep Resources



Page last modified September 17, 2024