In college, sleep is often treated like a luxury—something you catch up on after midterms or sacrifice to stay productive. For a long time, I bought into that mindset. But living with chronic migraines quickly taught me the truth: sleep isn’t optional for me—it’s medical care.
When I don’t prioritize sleep, my migraines don’t just get worse. Everything does. My focus, mood, energy, and ability to function all take a hit. Learning how to protect my sleep in college has been one of the most important (and challenging) parts of managing my migraines.
Sleep disruption is one of my biggest migraine triggers. Even a single late night can increase the likelihood of a flare the next day. When sleep becomes inconsistent, my migraines become more frequent, more intense, and harder to recover from.
Sleep helps regulate:
Without enough rest, my nervous system stays overstimulated—and migraines thrive in that environment.
College culture often glorifies pulling all-nighters or running on caffeine. For someone with chronic migraines, this mindset is especially harmful.
I’ve learned that:
No assignment is worth days of pain afterward.
Prioritizing sleep doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being intentional. These are the habits that have made the biggest difference for me.
I aim to go to bed around 10–11 pm most nights. Consistency matters just as much as total hours. When my sleep schedule stays regular, my migraines are noticeably more manageable.
Instead of studying late, I:
This helps me protect both my sleep and my productivity.
One of the hardest parts of prioritizing sleep in college is the guilt. The feeling that you’re doing less, missing out, or not pushing hard enough.
I’ve had to remind myself that:
Living with chronic migraines has forced me to listen to my body earlier than most. While that can feel isolating in college, it’s also taught me something valuable: rest is a form of self-respect.
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