No more napping in class, thanks to IGNITE’s Sleep Lounge.

What’s something that our bodies need, but don’t get enough of? If you haven’t already guessed from the title of the article, it’s sleep! Ah yes, the elusive, but oh so alluring sleep. According to a 2013 national survey of post-secondary students, 86.9% said they were exhausted from lack of sleep and stress. This number isn’t surprising considering that sleep is often last on the list of priorities that students have to juggle on a daily basis.

School boy rests his head on his hand while falling asleep

Lack of sleep can bring a whole bout of problems including, but not limited to, emotional and physical impairment, trouble paying attention, and poor decision making. That’s why, in the Spring of 2016, the Sleep Lounge was opened as a much needed space for students to catch up on their zzz’s.

When asked about the the Sleep Lounge, Monica Khosla, IGNITE President said, “IGNITE recognized that students’ lack of rest during the day leads to increased stress and decreased success in school. The executives came up with the idea of having a dedicated space where students are able to rest in between their classes during the day.”

A green, sound-absorbing wall in the IGNITE Sleep Lounge at North campus

It doesn’t take long to see the benefits of napping which include improved alertness, enhanced performance, and a better mood. According to IGNITE’s 2016 survey, 72% of students used the IGNITE Sleep Lounge for 1-2 hours, which is more than the optimal 20 minutes napping time.

Here’s all you need to know about the Sleep Lounge:

  • You get one hour hour of rest and if there’s no one waiting, you can sleep longer
  • Chairs are wiped down after each nap
  • There are partitions that separate you from your neighbour, so you can enjoy your nap in private
  • The room features dim lighting and a no-noise policy
  • This is a temperature controlled room, so in the winter you aren’t freezing and in the summer you aren’t boiling
  • The space is open from Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., located at KX204 at the North Campus, and KB106 at Lakeshore

A single chaise lounge bed surrounded by a privacy screen in the IGNITE Sleep Lounge at North campus


 

We asked Humber and Guelph-Humber students what they think about the Sleep Lounge. This is what they had to say:

Alessia D’Agostino – Media Communications, North Campus

“I really appreciate the Sleep Lounge, especially with how many classes that I have this semester. I have a hard time focusing in classes when I haven’t slept. So naps here and there, even if it is just for an hour, are better than nothing.”

Rod Alvarado – Fitness & Health Promotion, North Campus

“I use the Sleep Lounge 4-5 times a week. I live in Scarborough, so the commute is two hours, when I have early morning classes I wake up at five. The Sleep Lounge  is quiet, and people respect each other’s privacy.”

Jonas Medina – Kinesiology, Guelph-Humber

“I use the Sleep Lounge once every two weeks. What helps is being able to nap in a quiet room with no distractions. Nothing’s better than a mid-afternoon nap.”

 

* These quotes have been edited for length and clarity.

Several individually screened-in sleep pods in the IGNITE Sleep Lounge


 

Sleep is always put on the back-burner when we have “more important things to do” but not getting enough sleep can really affect your mood and overall health. So if you’re feeling extra tired, or just need a quiet place to unwind, come check out the Sleep Lounge!

You can also check out our tips for getting better sleep, our list of the 5 best places to sleep on campus, and our tips to stay up without coffee.

Happy napping!