Sleep Crisis: Students struggle with sleep

Malaysian hypnotist Aleanor Kong Yin Yuan said: "During counseling sessions for sleep problems, university students often encounter situations in which they are either struggling academically or feeling lost in life. For instance, they may be unsure about their future goals or uncertain if they are on the right path."

As the pace of life accelerates and stress levels rise, sleep problems are becoming increasingly severe, and university students are no exception to this trend.

In recent years, sleep problems have emerged as significant barriers to the pursuit of a high quality of life among contemporary university students. Issues such as delayed sleep, disrupted rest patterns, and insomnia had a detrimental impact on both their studies and personal lives.

Research surveys show that in 26 countries and regions, 40% of university students get less than 6 hours of sleep per day. Moreover, Nielsen's 2018 National Sleep Survey shows that 9 out of 10 Malaysians suffer from one or more sleep problems.

Image Source: The State Times

The allure of social media, mounting academic pressures, and emotional burdens have combined to create a perfect storm that deprives the majority of university students of their precious sleep. Specifically, the use of electronic devices, which offer satisfaction and stimulation, keeps the brain highly active, posing challenges for college students when it comes to unwinding and achieving restful sleep at night.

On top of this, many university students find themselves often sacrificing sleep to complete their education or attend social events.

Kong said, "This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that balancing academic responsibilities and social interactions leads to the emergence of new stressors".

According to The Washington Post, "For every hour of average nighttime sleep lost at the beginning of the semester, a student's final GPA drops by 0.07 points, and the effect on student performance is even more pronounced when students get less than six hours of sleep a night.

What is easily overlooked is the impact of chronic sleep deprivation on mental health. Not only is lack of sleep tied to short-term changes in mood, but it can further trigger more serious problems such as depression and anxiety bi-directional affective disorders. This mental health problem, in turn, can continue to exacerbate insomnia and other sleep disorders, which can lead to a vicious cycle.

Image Source: Sleep Center

Kong further emphasizes, "Because sleep problems are always secondary mental health symptoms triggered by other mental health issues, the main and most relevant ones are anxiety, depression, stress, etc. For some people, the resulting range of physical ailments can also be a cost."

The impact of prolonged sleep deprivation on nearly every bodily system is substantial and is closely linked to a range of chronic health conditions, notably obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

Psychologist Eunice Lau Xiao Ping of the Malaysian Psychology Centre said, "If university students have insomnia due to psychological factors, they should seek help from a psychologist. By attending psychotherapy sessions, psychologists will identify and discuss the underlying problem".

Image Source: Verywell health

In this context, the sleep aid industry and the corresponding sleep economy are gaining momentum. A variety of products, including ASMR videos, sleep aid candies, sleep aid pillows, and more, have become readily available to the public.

Eunice believes that ASMR video sounds can induce a calming response in the body, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety. However, the practical effectiveness of such videos depends on whether individuals find them beneficial for their sleep issues. Ultimately, the most crucial aspect is adopting a healthy lifestyle that promotes better sleep and enhances overall quality of life.

In this regard, Kong has the same idea: "To reduce stress or anxiety, it is always helpful to exercise properly. You can take a 15-minute walk every day or do some outdoor exercise, take a break from stress to enjoy the environment, go into nature and put yourself into the greenery and landscape, and enjoy the pleasure of it.”

For university students seeking to address their sleep problems, the initial steps involve stress reduction, establishing a sleep schedule, and building a positive cycle. If substantial changes are not observed, it may be beneficial to explore getting help from professionals such as psychologists or counselors.