By: Ronald Leung

 

Sleeping positions often appear to be more of an unconscious choice of personal comfort, but novel research from Dr. Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, and Robert Phipps, a body language expert, suggests that this preference is actually a good indicator of your daytime personality.

Use this guide to decode your sleeping position to find out what it’s saying about you:

Fetal
Position:  Lying curled up on one side with legs bent
Personality: Sleepers who prefer this position often show a tough exterior but are actually shy and sensitive within. They often take time to warm-up in new situations, but given the chance they’ll relax and become very sociable. They also stay organized but often over-think problems and worry excessively.

Log
Position: Sleeping on your side with legs and arms straight
Personality: People who prefer this position are often quite social, fun to hang out with, and extremely trusting. This can turn against them sometimes, because they can be prone to being gullible. However, when they are determined, this type of sleeper can be stubborn and set in their ways.

Yearner
Position: Sleeps on the side with both arms stretched in front
Personality: Often having open personalities, these sleepers are also susceptible to suspicion and cynicism. They also describe themselves as slow-decision makers and are indecisive, but will stick with their decision once they make them.

Soldier
Position: Lying on your back with both arms at your sides
Personality: People who use this potion are often disciplined and follow schedules and plans very well. They also hold high expectations not only to others, but also themselves, and can be their own worst critic at times. They tend to be reserved and quiet.

Freefall
Position: Sleeping on your stomach with the head turned to the side and arms curled up near your pillow
Personality: Sleepers who prefer this position are very open to their thoughts and feelings and can be both sociable and brash. Under the surface however they can be very sensitive and not very receptive to criticism.

Starfish
Position: Lying on your back with legs sprawled and arms up near your head
Personality: Character traits for this position often prioritize friendships but don’t enjoy being in the centre of attention. They are often willing to listen to the problems of their friends and enjoy giving assistance to others. They can be too selfless at times however, and neglect their own needs and opportunities.

TYLER HAYWARD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR

Randal De Souza 

SHEC

Tired. It’s a simple word that will pop up several times daily in the vocabulary of a university student. While the usual method of dealing with it is to line up and grab your favorite caffeine drink, consistently being tired can be a symptom of a greater problem of diagnosable fatigue.

You may deny that you have ever experienced fatigue. After all, the classic case of a fatigued individual is someone who has an active social and academic life, but burns out from being unable to handle it all, and then goes through hospitalization and an intense rehab routine, right?

Wrong. Late nights and partying are certainly part of the fatigue equation, but there are plenty of other reasons to be tired in class.

Physical fatigue refers to an inability to physically function at a normal level. You may recognize this on days when you’re so tired that moving too much is out of the question, and you’re simply content with sitting somewhere and relaxing or sleeping.

Mental fatigue is more familiar to some, being associated with increased sleepiness and decreased attention. If you’ve ever felt like your brain couldn’t take what was going on in class because of an inability to concentrate, as opposed to a lack of interest in the material, perhaps you’re mentally fatigued.

Fatigue is usually the result of a student’s lifestyle, and its origins may be simple or very complex. It requires attention. While relaxation, proper time management, and other activities can normally cause fatigue to end, chronic fatigue should be something you discuss with a doctor.

So now that we’ve established that students do experience true fatigue, what are some causes of it?

Burnout: Students have tons of things to do at university, such as part- or full-time work, attending classes, completing homework assignments, participating in voluntary extracurricular activities and socializing. Doing some of the more school-related things within a short time frame will court fatigue. With busy schedules, the average student doesn’t necessarily factor in all they need to do (i.e. eating, grooming, and socializing), so they will naturally overload their day with activities.

Plan ahead, and spread your school work and other obligations throughout the week. Trying to get in all you need to do at once will hurt you. Take breaks during homework sessions, and get up and stretch once an hour at least. Remember to reward yourself reasonably for task completion, for this will keep you focused.

Poor Dietary Habits: A regular diet of pizza, fries, burgers and pop will take its toll not only the body, but the immune system. Given time, a weakened immune system will interfere with the body’s energy supply because it is not receiving the nutrients it requires to repair cells, rebuild muscle tissue, promote psychological well-being and perform other functions that keep us healthy.

Consider a balanced diet filled with protein, starches and healthy fats along with adequate exercise as essential to staying on track. Healthy meals packed with whole grains, fiber, fruits and vegetables will help students maintain proper energy levels. If it seems like a lot of work, start by preparing one healthy meal a day and work your way up to the rest of them. After all, alleviating fatigue relies on more than just organizing your day planner – it’s a lifestyle unto itself.

Caffeine: Ah, caffeine, the key ingredient in that ambrosial beverage whose absence renders most student mornings incomplete. While some caffeine is certainly part of healthy diet, its abuse should concern students when it is responsible for fatigue.

Completing homework and studying for exams require long hours and dedication, but drinking insane amounts of coffee and taking caffeine pills to stay awake interferes with the sleep cycle. Ignoring sleep for weeks or months will cause fatigue, and compromise your health. Preventing fatigue involves getting at least eight hours of sleep each night, and taking brief naps during the day.

Rather than staying up long nights close to exam time, how about allotting some study time, say an hour or so daily, during the week and then sleeping at regular hours? Using caffeine as a means to keep yourself awake will lead to long-term repercussions.

While balance in life is essential, trying to do too much of anything will cause you to overwork yourself.

Ultimately, we’re all human; nobody is indefatigable. Accept that there are limits on achievements in the short-term, and focus how you can achieve things in the long term. With proper planning, a balanced diet and a good night’s sleep, you’ll be surprised at just how much you can do.

Jeff Wyngaarden

SHEC Media

Here it is – the last month of class. Now is the time when term papers are due, when we once again question why midterms can occur at the end of the term, and when we begin frantic preparations for exams. Amidst all these academic pressures there’s holiday planning, club meetings, part-time work for some and thesis work for others. How do you keep on top of it all?

At times it seems like the only solution is hard work and long hours. Many pull all-nighters in November in order to get those last touches done on this or that final project; some even manage an entire week of running on coffee and adrenaline, topping out at three or four hours of sleep a night. November is an erratic month of changing weather and changing habits, of sleepless nights and sleep-filled classes, of last-minute crunches and long hours of procrastination.

“With closing eyes and resting head I know that sleep is coming soon.” So ends the first verse of Eric Whitacre’s timeless piece “Sleep”, an ode to that necessary human activity that is so elusive at this time of year. “Too bad,” you may be thinking. “My eyes keep closing, but if sleep comes soon I’ll miss my deadline!”

Most of the time, getting enough sleep is a matter of prioritizing. Sleeping is a key part of staying healthy (How many people do you know who get sick after a few all-nighters?) and a crucial break away from the hectic, work-a-day atmosphere of campus. Normal sleep cycles help your body to heal and your brain to process information in ways that scientists don’t yet entirely understand. What’s more, getting enough sleep helps you stay focussed and alert during the day, so you may not need to spend quite as much time studying as you might think.

As time spent sleeping goes up, so does productivity. But when you start sacrificing sleep, it’s a long, hard climb out of the zombified state of perpetual fatigue and into the land of the living. “But how can I get enough sleep now? I already need to work 80 hours a week just to get things done!” Sure, there is a limit to the sleep-productivity correlation; you can’t expect to get all your work done if you’re sleeping all the time. Usually it comes down to using time productively, and this includes time spent sleeping and relaxing. In general, if you are focussed and efficient while working you’ll feel more accomplished when you take a break, and you’ll feel more tired.

How is this a good thing? If you feel tired then you are forced to relax, your relaxation is more effective, and your sleep tends to be deeper. There’s a reason most religions recommend a time of rest after a period of hard work; your body and your mind need it!

The key to relaxing, recuperating and recovering is to put as much effort into it as you do into your work.

This means being focussed – you can’t relax as well if you spend the whole time thinking about all the work you have to do. Take a day, a few hours, or even just an afternoon to go for a hike, read a book for fun, play games with your friends, or visit home. If you focus on relaxing you’ll be better rested by the time you need to start working again, and as a result you’ll probably feel happier and be able to work more efficiently.

Of course, there will be times when relaxation isn’t enough. Sleep disorders, though rare, do exist, and sometimes need to be treated by a professional. There are many resources available if you have questions about sleep – any health centre on campus will have information on sleep and relaxation issues and will be able to make referrals to the professionals that can help with treatment. If you have questions or concerns about your sleep habits, don’t hesitate to contact an information hotline or visit a clinic.

As you head into this holiday season, get a jump start on your vacation by making sleep and relaxation a regular part of your schedule. Maybe this means hitting the hay early instead of hitting the bars, visiting family instead of the library, or just planning a full day with no work.  Chances are you’ll feel happier, healthier and wiser as you head into the final round of first term.  Sleep tight!

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