Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor in chief of the Huffington Post, is visiting UCLA on Wednesday to discuss the consequences of sleep deprivation. Huffington, author of “The Sleep Revolution,” is touring college campuses across the country to speak with students about the importance of sleep.
Huffington will be visiting as part of a Healthy Campus Initiative event, a campuswide movement that aims to encourage students to make healthy lifestyle choices. The event will allow students to sample products designed to improve sleep habits. Speakers will aim to dispel myths about the dangers of sleep deprivation, and panelists include sleep experts who will discuss positive sleeping habits.
Huffington said she hopes to change the culture of sleep on college campuses and discourage students from glorifying sleep deprivation.
The Daily Bruin’s Meghan Hodges spoke with Huffington to learn more about her role in what Huffington calls a sleep revolution.
Daily Bruin: How did you become involved in the tour?
Arianna Huffington: (My) interest started when (I collapsed) from sleep deprivation, hitting my head on my desk and breaking my cheekbone. (The accident) got me to study sleep, and I found … we are actually more productive and more creative when we get enough sleep.
DB: In your research for the book, what did you learn about the importance of sleep?
AH: For me, one of the most fascinating studies explains what happens to our brain when we are sleeping. We used to think sleep is a time of inactivity, but now we know sleep is a time of frenetic activity in the brain, when all the toxins that accumulate in the brain throughout the day are washed away. If they are not washed away, that’s when (sleep deprivation) becomes really dangerous. There are connections between sleep deprivation and toxins building up in the brain that lead to Alzheimer’s.
DB: Did you learn anything about students’ sleep patterns, or issues that arise from lack of sleep for students?
AH: I have prioritized college students in the book and on this tour because we believe this is the demographic that is particularly sleep deprived and stressed, according to data. Most colleges have a version of the motto, “sleep, grades, social life: pick two.” And most students give up sleep, which can be dangerous in terms of health and cognitive performance.
Sleep deprivation makes it harder to do well in school and can lead to mental health problems. (It) is at the foundation of a lot of mental health issues, like depression and anxiety. With more sleep, (students) can actually have more productive and successful lives.
DB: How do you hope to engage students at the sleep fair?
AH: We want to make (the sleep fair) a lot of fun. We want to give students things they can use (like) special pillows, white noise machines, and little things for your nightstand, so students no longer feel they have to have phones, which disrupt sleep, from their beds.
DB: What advice do you have for students about sleep?
AH: All of the science makes it clear you perform better when you get enough sleep. You are able to retrieve everything you’ve learned better, and, contrary to the idea that pulling an all-nighter helps you do well, getting a good night’s sleep before an exam is the best way to get good grades.
DB: What is the most surprising thing you learned about sleep during your research?
AH: How (sleep deprivation) affects every aspect of our lives. So many diseases – diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure – are all connected to sleep deprivation. It also affects our productivity, creativity and happiness. Mood swings and anxiety are all exacerbated when we’re sleep-deprived. A lot of students have been making these changes and been writing about how sleep has helped them be happier.