When exam season rolls around, many students start to feel understandably anxious. Stress about upcoming exams and too many late-night study sessions isn’t good for the body or the brain, though. In fact, it can lead to insomnia.
Students need to know how to tackle insomnia, as it can severely impact their mental and physical health, as well as their performance on exams.
When exam season rolls around, many students start to feel understandably anxious. Stress about upcoming exams and too many late-night study sessions isn’t good for the body or the brain, though. In fact, it can lead to insomnia.
Students need to know how to tackle insomnia, as it can severely impact their mental and physical health, as well as their performance on exams.
Insomnia Symptoms
Worried you might suffer from insomnia? Here are some of the most common signs:
- Trouble Falling Asleep
- Waking Up During the Night
- A Lack of Focus
- Sleepiness
- Frequent Mistakes
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should consider that insomnia might be the culprit. Once you know you have insomnia, you can start addressing the issues and focusing on getting a better night’s sleep. Read on to learn how.
Use Your Bed Only for Sleep
When you use your bed for anything other than sleep, your brain no longer associates it with those all-important zzzs. Don’t use your bed for anything other than sleep, and you’ll find you drop off much sooner. That means studying, scrolling on your phone, and watching TV!
Avoid Screen Time Before Bed
Screens take up a large portion of modern lives. In fact, you likely need them to study for your exams. The time of day that you look at screens matters, though. Stare at your smartphone too close to bedtime, and the blue light will trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime. Find a non-screen-related hobby to do before bed, such as reading or meditating, and you’ll find you fall asleep easier.
Get a Handle on Your Stress Levels
Managing stress, especially during the exam period, is a challenge. Too much stress can lead to insomnia, though, which will only contribute to more anxieties. Try to manage your stress levels by taking breaks from studying, engaging in stress-relieving hobbies, and staying organised with your studies.
Ensure Your Bedroom is Cool, Dark, and Quiet
Consider how sleep-friendly your room is. If your bedroom is too warm, too bright, and too noisy when you’re trying to sleep, then it’s no wonder you’re having difficulty dropping off.
Aim for these three things: cool, dark, and quiet.
If you’re a student living amongst other students, the chances are that quiet is hard to come by. In this case, a white noise machine will help drown out the background noise.
Speak to Your GP
If improving your sleep hygiene doesn’t work, and you’re still struggling to get enough sleep, it’s time to speak to your GP. Tell them your list of symptoms, and they will be able to get to the root of the issue to help you overcome it. That might involve medication, therapy, or new sleep techniques.
No one should have to live with insomnia. Make sure you get a handle on it over exam season so that you can perform well in your exams. If you can’t by yourself, your GP is there to help.
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