Sleep is more valuable than gold, money and power. It is something that people are willing to give their last dollar to obtain.

“As a culture we’re sleep deprived,” said Geraldo VilaCruz, Ph.D., Madison College’s associate dean of student development.

Students are one-fourth of the way into the semester and many are finding sleep to be a luxury. In their wired world, students are sleep deprived which affects all aspects of their lives. VilaCruz explained that lack of sleep causes issues such as depression, anxiety, co-dependency, cardiovascular disease and even death.

Sleep is important for a number of reasons. It restores energy, fights off illness and fatigue by strengthening the immune system and produces better performance throughout the day. On average, most adults need somewhere between eight and ten hours of sleep at night. Lack of sleep impacts brain function, attention span and reaction times.

“The lack of sleep can be compared to driving drunk,” VilaCruz said. Eventually, the lack of sleep can lead to cardio deteration and then death.

Adding to the sleep issue is students’ increased use of energy drinks such as Monster, Rockstar and 5-Hour Energy. Gas stations, supermarkets and other convenience stores have made these caffeine-laden products regularly available. Manufacturers of these drinks market them using glamour-based tactics and sporting events such as the Red Bull Games.

Excessive use of these drinks can impact ones sleeping ability. Several universities and colleges are responding to these issues by offering sleep hygiene programs that provide places to sleep. Many schools are offering seminars in napping.

“Our own Madison College suggests helpful sleep hygiene in New Student Orientation and in The College Success Program,” VilaCruz said.

To establish a good sleep ritual, these resources suggest that one should maintain a regular sleeping and rising times, including on weekends.