Considering the benefits of sleep
Dignity does not decrease for those who sleep more. Still, rest and the Sabbath are two of the most transparently ignored and often discouraged observances in American culture. The standard college campus is perhaps plagued by this attitude worse than most places.
Educational facilities hold all the information in the world, and yet, the notion that proper sleep is desperately vital for the education and overall health of a person is still grossly understated. It must be recognized that a healthy sleep schedule is one of the most important pieces of a good education.
A study published in 2014 by the University of Minnesota evaluated eight public high schools across three states that shifted start times to 8:35 or later. As a result of the shift, five of these schools saw significant increases in average GPA. Students consumed less caffeine over this period, and standardized test scores had a slight increase as well. Most amazing of all, however, is the fact that car accidents involving people of ages 16 to 18 dropped by a staggering 70% in one of the school districts.
Sleep expert Dr. Matthew Walker has been the lead ambassador for sleep for over a decade. Walker says that the human brain fails after 16 hours of wakefulness. He also states that if one goes 10 days on less than seven hours of sleep per night, the person will end up with brain dysfunction equal to one who has not slept in 24 hours.
Not only does the brain suffer from poor sleep patterns, but the entire body can feel their consequences. After pointing out that sleep deficiency can interfere with various daily tasks, the National Institute of Health acknowledges an extensive list of health problems associated with lack of sleep. These include diabetes, kidney disease, depression, obesity and even heart disease.
Specifically, in terms of retention as it relates to education, the NIH has said that sleep’s extremely important assistance in memory occurs mostly in REM sleep and slow-wave sleep (a cycle in which heart rate slows, muscles relax and declarative memory or long-term memory is enhanced). Immunological memories are also consolidated far better within these two sleep cycles, therefore helping the body to counter illness.
In an article for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Clete A. Kushida stated, “There are data that sleep loss leads to learning and memory impairment, as well as decreased attention and vigilance.” The same publication also says that students who attempt to make up lost sleep during the weekend typically perform poorly in academics. Students who go a full night without sleeping are more likely to have a low GPA than those who have relatively consistent sleep patterns.
The absolute necessity of healthy sleep patterns has been clearly laid out, but many who read this will still forsake their rest for some reason that lacks merit and counters their personal health. Yes, no doubt, there is work to be done.
But no dignity is lost in going to bed early or limiting work hours. In fact, resting and observing the Sabbath are key to not only a healthy educational lifestyle, but a healthy spiritual lifestyle as well. The Sabbath was made as a blessing to his children from a God who knew they would need it (Mark 2:27). Christ-followers need not exhaust themselves.
It is the natural desire of humanity, perhaps, to feel some conviction to work, as it should be. After our work is done, though, let us joyfully rest our heads on our pillows and sleep.
Kilker is an opinion writer for the Liberty Champion