Students have routines to help fall asleep
Whether it is force of habit or a prerequisite before sleep, some Central Michigan University students follow a personal routine before bed.
From Netflix movies to soothing music, students have developed procedures they must complete before falling asleep.
Holt junior Danielle Thornes follows a traditional routine designed to create structure in her life and provide her with a relaxed sleep. Thornes has followed this routine since the age of 11.
“I floss, brush my teeth, wash my face and put on face lotion, all in that order, then go to sleep immediately afterwards,” she said. “I long to have pearly whites, and I wash my face because it makes me feel fresh and relaxed when I sleep.”
For many people, these habitual processes are necessary for a peaceful and comfortable sleep, and Ann Arbor freshmen Andrea Gold has a unique routine of her own.
“I watch the same two movies before I fall asleep. I alternate between the two, going back and forth in the same night,” Gold said. “I am a very happy and energetic person, and I like to fall asleep in a good mood, so I watch my two favorite comedy movies, ‘Superbad’ and 'The Hangover.'”
Gold began this habit when the movies first came out on DVD nearly five years ago.
“Ever since I first saw these two movies, I have made a habit of watching them before bed,” she said. “Even if I am sleeping over at a friend’s house, I watch them or I can’t fall asleep.”
Taking a different tactic to falling asleep is Richland senior Alexandria Slucter, who listens to music before bed. But rather than having her music play nonstop, she has an effective approach, which keeps her phone battery from dying.
“I set my iHome music timer for one and a half hours. This gives me enough time to listen to music before bed and hopefully fall asleep,” she said. “Most nights, I cannot fall asleep or it takes me hours, and the music timer really does help. Plus, it doesn’t drain my battery.”
Slucter, much like many college students, uses her sleep routine to help her adjust to her ever-changing sleep schedule.
“I have a weird sleep schedule. Every other day, class times change and every semester is different. As a college student, it is hard to maintain a consistent pattern,” Slucter said. “It is hard to schedule classes accordingly, which makes the 8 a.m. (classes) a struggle. So, I listen to country music every night. It is very soothing to fall asleep to.”
