Have you ever laid awake in bed at night struggling to fall asleep, but couldn’t find a remedy to help? You are not alone. Out of 68 Saint Joseph’s students from varying grades, 54 reported that the election media has been preventing them from falling asleep. While this is a prevalent topic that causes distractions, stress, and anxiety, there are a multitude of influences that cause trouble when falling asleep.
As a college student, workload and tests cause so much stress and anxiety that keep students tossing and turning at night. As we all know, the pandemic has forced almost everything to be virtual. This virtuality and the constant staring at screens can prevent you from falling asleep due to the blue light. Blue light blocks out melatonin, obstructing you from feeling tired, along with tricking your brain into thinking it is light out so you stay awake longer. Academic stress is not the only contributor to a dissatisfied sleep, social influences prevent a good night’s rest as well. A fear of missing out can lead to trouble falling asleep. Whether it be because you stayed out with your friends when you were tired, or because you struggle to fall asleep as your mind is focused on what you are missing out on.
When our mind and body struggle to fall asleep, we essentially end up going to bed later, in the end getting less sleep than we need. Sleep is a crucial part of our health and helps us function each and every day.
How can you help yourself get out of this sleepless funk?
There are many sleep remedies out there, whether it works is up to you and your body. We have collected a list of helpful ones for you to try from fellow SJU students. We surveyed students from each grade to find what remedy works best for them and why. Here are the best, most recurring ones we found.
Streaming Apps
A Spotify playlist and podcast to help you fall asleep
Source: Lily Mcstravick
Senior Emerson Freer said she plays a calm podcast because “I don’t have to stare at a screen but it still distracts my brain from overthinking”.
Julia Sinkbeil, a Junior here at SJU, reported using calm music. She said it “helps me calm down and focus on breathing and relaxing”.
White Noise
Sophomore Malia Drift told us that white noise is her go-to sleep remedy because it helps her block out the noise in her room which she finds distracting.
Nick Rossi, senior SJU student, responded saying he uses a fan. His reasoning for using a fan was because “it helps me focus on the noise of the fan and not my thoughts. It also helps me stay cool so I don’t wake up”.
Supplements
The most common healthy sleep aid supplements
Source: Lily Mcstravick
Senior Christian Coney said his best remedy is Melatonin or Nyquil because “I know it’s a good and safe method. If melatonin does not work I also use NyQuil in order to help”. While Junior Rachel Durante reasoned her use of Melatonin for “calming down my brain and helping me steady my breathing”.
A Freshman here at SJU, Alyson Doyle, told us she likes to drink Sleepytime Tea because it relaxes her, ultimately putting her to sleep.
Counting
Freshman Sam Greco and Junior Lillian Shillinger both reported using a method of counting. Sam said “It lets me focus on one subject and takes my mind off of other things”, while Lillian expressed “Counting basically empties my mind and allows me to fall asleep. Other methods don’t allow me to gradually space out into sleep so counting works best for me”.
So, next time you find yourself awake in bed struggling to fall asleep, turn to one of the few recommended sleeping remedies from your peers. Whether it be a streaming application, white noise, supplements, or counting, we hope that you can find a way that works for you to avoid restless nights.
