HEALTH

Picture this: It's 8:30 AM, first-period bio. You're angry at the barista for messing up your latte order, you can't seem to focus on the lesson about cells and your face is breaking out like crazy. Could it all be because you're not getting enough sleep? Here are 5 tell-tale signs that you're not getting enough shut-eye.

1. You snap at everyone all the time, for no particular reason

Whether it's because your mom let your older bro stay out late while you had to be home at 8 PM sharp, or because your bestie decided to tease you about your obsession with Harry Styles, everyone is getting on your nerves recently. A lack of sleep can mess with your brain's ability to regulate emotions, making you more likely to get angry. 

2. You're craving junk food (Anyone want fries?)

If you don't get a full eight hours of rest, your body may have trouble recognizing if you're hungry or not, which can cause you to eat more. The hormone that controls hunger increases, which might lead you to binge on some junk food.

3. You swear you're keeping up with your skincare regimen, but your face is breaking out like *crazy*

Getting less sleep can cause your body to become more stressed, which increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This increase can lead to inflammation, clogged pores and breakouts. Getting your beauty sleep can help your skin stay #glowy.

4. You can't seem to focus in your math class (or your chem class, your English class, your history class...)

Sleepiness can lower your concentration and alertness, which can make it harder to pay attention or complete tasks that require focus (like driving or taking tests). Being tired can also impact your judgment (which could lead you to send that risky text to your crush...).

5. Your early morning Dunkin' runs have become absolutely necessary to make it through the day

If you're relying more and more on coffee to get through a full day of class, that's a clear sign that you need more rest. While caffeine can help you stay more alert, it also has its downsides, such as reducing the amount of deep sleep that you get when you eventually hit the hay. 

Relating to more of these than you should? It's time to get more sleep! Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep at night, which should get you through the day without needing coffee or a power nap. And if life is stressing you out too much, check out these articles about how to deal with burnout and how to stay stress-free in the spring semester!

All GIFs via GIPHY | Slider image by bruce mars on Unsplash

by Serena Sherwood | 3/7/2021