Psychology II recently had a special alumni guest speaker, a sleep research psychologist from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Michelle Stepan. Dr. Stepan attended both Pitt for her bachelors and Michigan State for her PhD.
Her goal was to share studies to help students get the best sleep possible. Her work has shown that to get the best sleep, individuals should aim for 6-8 hours. When people get less than that, they are more likely to experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The same goes for getting too much sleep as well; it makes the body feel lazy and overall less motivated.
Dr. Michelle Stepan suggests the following tips to get the best sleep possible
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule
- Avoid caffeine and high sugars for 6 hours before bed
- Use naps wisely, not too long
- And avoid electronics right before bed
Dr. Stepan reminds us that the right amount of sleep is literally life changing. Teens, even with hectic schedules, can change their daily lives by prioritizing their sleep, mental health, and overall dispositions. If students have any further questions, Dr. Stephan provided her email: [email protected]
