The American Public Health Association founded National “Public Health Week” in 1955, following President Bill Clinton’s signing of the proclamation.

Since then, Public Health Week has occurred annually during the first week of April, aiming to celebrate contributions to public health and bring awareness to public issues that have been detrimental to our health. Public Health Week has had a positive impact on the progression of advocacy against poor health conditions, garnering the attention of policymakers and educators alike.

It is with great pleasure that I wish you all a happy and healthy Public Health Week, while urging you to partake in some self-care as the semester reaches its end! As cliché as it might sound, self-care exists far beyond physical exercise and doing what you enjoy. Specifically, I want you all to sleep! Wellness practices cannot truly be prioritized unless you are also practicing proper sleep hygiene. As tempting as it is to pull all-nighters to study for hard exams or stay awake a couple of hours longer to finish that assignment, resist destroying your circadian rhythm. College students should be getting anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep each night, with even more being the jackpot. It is very easy for us to get so caught up in schoolwork that we deprive ourselves of sleep, but multiple studies have shown that this is a severe disadvantage for us.

Without proper sleep, college students cannot perform as well academically. Lack of energy plays a crucial role in this, making it extremely difficult to focus, both in and out of class. To compensate for this, college students often choose caffeinated drinks, which block and replace the neurotransmitters active in our brains. Instead of reaching for caffeinated drinks, aim for a better sleep schedule where you can get the most out of your energy and learning.

While I know this might be an unachievable goal for some, I would advise college students to take naps whenever possible! If you find even 30 minutes of downtime, take a short nap. Counseling Services offer a Harmony Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekly, which is made for serene and relaxing activities. The ambient lighting and bean bag chairs are catered to students. If you have not visited yet, please make time to make use of the Harmony Center.

There are so many campus resources that can improve sleep hygiene for better overall performance. So, to reiterate, do not exhaust yourself. Reach out now for better sleeping habits and have a very happy Public Health Week!