Reflection 2

Since last week, I have learned that consistently getting quality sleep will improve an individual's mental, emotional, and physical performance. It improves one's immune system, balances hormones, boosts metabolism, and improves brain function. The main reason sleep is so important for a student's success in school is because this is the time when their brain is "cleaning" itself. Just like every other cell in our body, our brain cells are eating, reproducing, and making waste products. When we are awake, our brain is super active with learning, thinking, and controlling our entire body - and this creates a lot of "brain garbage!" During sleep, our body uses this time to remove all that waste and allows us to repeat the learning processes day after day. It's like removing all the unneeded files from your computer, so you have storage for more important files. If a student is not getting enough quality sleep then all this "brain garbage" stays backed up in their brain, reducing cognitive performance and learning potential.

  

In terms of my progress in improving my own sleeping habits, I have spent the last week aiming for at least 8-10 hours of sleep during the weekdays, as opposed to sleeping for 6 hours or less. I have also started to reduce my cellphone use at night to reduce my blue light exposure. With regards to obstacles I have encountered, it has been somewhat difficult adjusting to an earlier bedtime, but I am finding that this is slowly, but surely, becoming easier as I continue this pattern.

For next week, I plan to continue sleeping earlier, while also reducing my technology use before bedtime. As for new goals, I hope to start incorporating non-medicinal sleeping aids to assist feelings of anxiety overnight (i.e. by incorporating aromatherapy, a pillow spray, and a humidifier into my nighttime routine). As I continue with these adjustments, I am hopeful that I will feel more energetic and focused during the school day.