Young adulthood is a pivotal time for forming sleep habits. For better or worse, it can set the pattern for life. But it's never too late to change. Even the chronically out-of-whack can get into a good cycle by diligently following suggestions offered by the St. Thomas Center for College Sleep:
Tips on how to get the sleep you need
December 6, 2016 at 5:22PM
• Make an effort to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
• If you need an alarm to wake you, you didn't get enough sleep.
• If you nap, do so for 20 minutes. If you nap much longer than that, you'll wake up groggy.
• Avoid caffeine and energy drinks at least six hours before turning in.
• As bedtime approaches, turn off phones, laptops, tablets — anything with a screen — and leave them off until morning. "We recommend a digital detox 30 minutes before bed," said Birdie Cunningham, associate director of health and wellness at St. Thomas.
Kevyn Burger
about the writer
Kids can learn how to program robots, play chess, speak Chinese or dance hip-hop style, among other enrichment options.