Importance Of Good Sleep: 5 Reasons Why Having A Good Sleep Is Equally Important During Exams

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• Mar 18, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Exams are a period of acute stress; in fact, from eighth grade to graduation, there is a period of acute and chronic stress due to the...

Digital Desk: Exams are a period of acute stress; in fact, from eighth grade to graduation, there is a period of acute and chronic stress due to the number of exams that must be given. Some students are extremely stressed, while others are able to cope well, stay healthy, and achieve well in their academics and careers. So what is it that actually helps the student to reach that potential?

Sleep is one of the most important factors. Most people do not consider sleep to be a component of their health.  In fact, it comes way down in the list of priorities. Most students take pleasure in not sleeping during exams and working until the wee hours of the morning. A large portion of this is due to a false belief system stating that the student must revise the test portion the day before, or that the student is unprepared and is attempting to remember last-minute preparations. For whatever reason, a good night's sleep is important not only the day before the test but also one month before the exam.

Reasons Why Sleep Is Important 

Duration of sleep depends on age, with younger children requiring more sleep, but a good eight-nine hour of restful sleep is needed for optimal body functioning.

1. Good sleep stabilizes the body's hormones, including blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, leptin, ghrelin, and cortisol levels. These hormones are necessary for the body to function properly.

2. Lack of sleep suppresses the leptin or the satiety hormone and activates ghrelin (hunger hormone).  As a result, the person experiences excessive hunger and cravings and consumes more sweet and salty foods, which causes weight gain.

3. When blood sugar levels are not maintained and insulin levels rise, there is an increased risk of getting prediabetes or diabetes at a young age, many of which may go unnoticed.

4. Lack of sleep raises cortisol levels, which causes inflammation in the body, leading to recurrent illnesses and lowered immunity.  Appearing for exams in a sick state decreases performance and needs to be avoided.

5. Increased cortisol levels also conflict with cognition and memory, resulting in bad recall, confusion, and forgetfulness. All of this adds up to anxiety, nervousness, and stress, which puts the student in a state of fear.

Hence, sleep is a very important component of health. Good sleep is the time when the body's cellular regeneration occurs, allowing all of its organs and systems to function in unison and at their best. This results in a healthy body and a safe mental environment, which is essential for growth, development, and facing all of life's challenges, including exams.