0% of what they had learned during the week. Sleep deprivation, however, is almost a way of life for most students, especially as final exams loom on the horizon. In fact, much of society suffers to some extent from sleep deprivation. There just doesn't seem to be time during the normal day for career or job duties and the time we would like to have for play. People who work the night shift often suffer from sleep deprivation. Night is the logical and natural time for sleep. Those on shift work are attempting to reverse the natural flow of their circadian rhythm. They may find sleeping in the day difficult if not almost impossible, and can become severely starved for sleep. The best way to overcome this lack of sleep, whether while on night shift, or after reverting to a normal schedule, is to practice good sleep hygiene. Gary Kaufman of the Northern Indiana Center for Sleep Medicine has these excellent suggestions: Set a regular schedule to go to bed and get up. Allow enough time to sleep, usually about eight hours. Sleep in the same room and bed every night. Keep the bedroom free of noise and disruptions like phones and TV. Use the bed only for sleeping and sex. Turn your clock so you can't see it. Watching the clock can keep you awake. Don't eat, drink alcohol or smoke for two or three hours before you go to bed. Drink a glass of milk when you retire. Get some exercise earlier in the day. Try reading or listening to a relaxation tape at bedtime. If you wake up during the night, avoid bright lights. Avoid long day time naps. Other suggestions, these from the Sleep Diagnostic Clinic at Stanford: Sleep only when sleepy. If you can't sleep, get up and do something boring. Develop sleep rituals to let your body know it's time to unwind and relax. Take a hot bath 90 minutes before bedtime Use sunlight in the morning to set or reset your biological clock. Sleep deprivation is no laughing matter. As well as disturbing your thi...
