Between classes and work schedules, many students at TheUniversity of Memphis do not have time to figure in one importantaspect -- sleep.
Lack of sleep can cause a number of different health problems,as well as difficulty performing daily functions, according toexperts.
"We recommend that adults get between eight and 10 hours ofsleep each night," said Nancy Blatt, executive director of theBetter Sleep Foundation. "Your productivity will be down if you arenot getting enough sleep."
Some problems that can result from missing out on sleep includebodily pain, weight gain and decreased function of the immunesystem.
Erica Mikulski is one U of M student who knows the detriment ofnot getting enough sleep.
The senior public relations major is a full-time student andworks three overnight shifts a week at Wild Oats Market as well asall day Saturdays.
"I get up on Mondays at 9 a.m. and stay up until 1:30 p.m. or 2p.m. the next day," she said. "Your body becomes so susceptible toillness from lack of sleep."
A representative at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institutesaid one large problem that can result from sleepiness is drowsydriving, which leads to thousands of automobile accidents everyyear. People who consistently drive with little sleep setthemselves up for potentially fatal car crashes.
"You have to learn how to manage your time, and you must learnwhen it's time to take a nap," Mikulski said. "You have to trainyourself to do it."
Some students say balance is one of the main issues they dealwith in determining how to get everything done -- includingallowing sufficient time for sleep.
"I find it hard to get a lot of down time between work andschool," said Leigh Anne Brewer, a U of M senior. "Being a sportsand leisure major, I know how important leisure is and how hard itis to fit it into a college student's life."
Brewer takes 15 class hours at The U of M and works up to 25hours a week at Owen Brennan's Restaurant.
The most often requested publications from the National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute involve some of the main sleep disorders-- insomnia, sleep apnea and narcolepsy. Insomnia is the mostcommon sleep complaint and is a result of stress, illness or sleepfactor environments, a spokesperson from the institute said.
Advising students on how to manage the daily stress of schooland work, Blatt said, "Build sleep into your schedule to maintainyour effectiveness and to have the best quality of life."
