Behavior Modification- Getting Some Shut Eye

1745 Words4 Pages

As my time in college has progressed, I have gotten less sleep each year. Back in high school and as I entered my first year in college, I had no problem sleeping and getting to bed in time to have a relaxing sleep. I was not perfect in my sleeping habits, but I always managed to get about five to six hours each night. I was usually in bed by around midnight or one in the morning. That amount of sleep was not the greatest amount, but it was more than most of my friends and family back home. However, as I furthered myself in my academic career and got more involved on campus, I have noticed issues sleeping and going to bed at a decent hour. Consequently, I have had trouble concentrating, feeling in good health, and feel exhausted as begin and end my day. I am one of the 35-40% of people who feel excessive drowsiness during the day (Ferracioli-Oda). Even when I do get enough sleep, I have to sacrifice half of my day, because I sleep in way too late, making me feel wide awake when it comes time for bed the next night. In addition, this lack of sleep often prevents me from feeling the need to exercise because I do not have the energy to run, which is my favorite activity. Therefore, I believe in order to increase my overall feeling of health and energy, my goal is to increase my deeply lacking amount of sleep until I am back at a healthy level each night. Major changes in habits are extremely hard to break, especially for me. I have tried working on this behavior for the last few months. I usually end of making up reasons to stay awake at night, whether for friends, fun, or entertainment: I always have an excuse. This desire or feeling that staying awake has become natural to my body. I will have to start planning and going through... ... middle of paper ... ...p://www.jstor.org/stable/3471723 Kraut, R., Patterson, M., Lundmark, V., & Kiesler, S. (1998). Internet paradox: A social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being?. American Psychologist, 59. Retrieved April 1, 2014, from http://vb3lk7eb4t.scholar.serialssolutions.com/?sid=google&auinit=R&aulast=Kraut&atitle=Internet+paradox:+A+social+technology+that+reduces+social+involvement+and+psychological+well-being%3F&id=doi:10.1037/0003-066X.53.9.1017&title=American+psychologist&volume=53&issue=9&date=1998&spage=1017&issn=0003-066X Moody, E. (n.d.). Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers | Leading innovation and advancement in science, technology and medicine. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers | Leading innovation and advancement in science, technology and medicine. Retrieved April 1, 2014, from http://online.liebertpub.com/?ai=4fv&mi=46h785&af=R

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