Sleep is a rare and precious commodity

Ask a college student if they get enough sleep and he or she will probably laugh at you. I know I would. Sleep? What's that? You mean people actually get enough sleep?

I live in a state of almost constant sleep deprivation. How are you expected to get 8 hours of sleep a night AND keep up with a 17-credit-hour school schedule, work nights at a part-time job, complete enough out of class work to make good grades, hang out with your friends enough to convince them you're still alive and try to catch a few precious minutes every once in a blue moon to yourself? It's impossible.

So, being the curious (or nerdy) and really tired person that I am, I decided to Google "sleep deprivation" and then "sleep" and see what I could come up with. The search garnered some interesting results. First of all, apparently there's a non-profit organization called the National Sleep Foundation. Who knew? I never would have guessed such an organization existed. There's actually some pretty neat information on their site about sleep needs for people of all ages, sleep disorders and treatments, tips on sleeping better and more. You can also find out how sleep works.

However, I cracked up in the middle of the computer lab at school when I saw this: March 3 - 9 is National Sleep Awareness Week. Sleep Awareness Week? There really is such a thing? I always thought that was a synonym for spring break. Yet apparently there really is a Sleep Awareness Week, and the NSF hosts activities such as a Great American Sleep Challenge, learning conferences and the 2008 Healthy Sleep Community Award presentation. So the week of March 3-9 be sure to appreciate the sleep you get each night and try to get plenty of it! Sleep is important and for many of us it is a rare and precious commodity.