There is one thing I have dealt with throughout college as well as while I was in the Marine Corps – insomnia.

Despite its importance, sleep is often a low priority. There just aren’t enough hours in a day.

Why is sleep so important? According to the McKinley Health Center at the University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, at least two-thirds of college students have reported occasional sleep disturbances and one-third of those student have had severe difficulties sleeping.

The McKinley Center stated, “Sleep is essential for good health, mental and emotional functioning and personal safety.” A college student should try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Lack of sleep can cause other problems such as anxiety, cognitive difficulties, depression and possible reduction in physical health.

If you feel you are not getting enough sleep try, a sleep hygiene method.

Sleep hygiene methods are regular activities that promote quality sleep at night in order to be alert during the day.

The McKinley Center suggests ways to help people begin their personal sleep hygiene method:

1) Set a bedtime routine every night before you go to bed (just like when you were a kid).

2) Avoid obsessing about finances, studies, relationships or other problems in bed. Try writing in a journal to store your thoughts.

3) Use the bedroom only for sleeping. Try not to eat, talk on the phone, study or do homework on your bed (This suggestion maybe hard for students in residence halls that use beds as sofas).

4) Go to bed at the same time  – even on the weekends.

5) Make sure your room is quiet and dark (unless you need a night-light). If you have roommates, ask them to keep the noise level down or use earplugs.

6) Everyone knows many college students get energy from some sort of product that includes caffeine, whether coffee or pop from the vending machine. Try to limit the amount of caffeine as well as the amount of sugar you consume.

7) Avoid working out a few hours before going to bed. It’s better to hit the gym in the morning because it can give you an energy boost you may need for the rest of the day.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is the inability to fall asleep, maintain sleep or wake up too early.

The National Sleep Federation found problems such as insomnia affect more than 70 million Americans. It is also the most common sleep disorder for Americans. Insomnia can last for one night or several nights followed by a few good nights of rest.

There are people like myself who either suffer from it for months or even years. Having insomnia doesn’t just affect those who have stress, anxiety about classes or financial problems. It can affect anyone. Simply thinking about “what if’s” or “shoulda’, woulda’, coulda’s” can cause you to not get a good night’s sleep.

College is stressful enough. We often meet each other coming and going with a hot coffee in hand.

Try a few of the sleep hygiene methods to see if you get a better night’s sleep. For more information on insomnia or other sleep disorders contact your local doctor, visit www.sleepfoundation.org or check out the Sleep Guide questionnaire provided by McKinley Health Center at www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/sleepguide.html

Happy sleeping to all!

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.