Original Work Research!

This week I researched the role of eating habits, exercise, drug and alcohol abuse, and sleep habits on epigenetics. I was very surprised to read the vast difference in the levels of sleep students receive. As they get older they tend to receive less sleep but I was unaware that a majority of students fit under one or multiple sleep disorders according to their responses. I will need to research the data in the United States and specifically in North Texas to confirm my assumption, but I believe an education program can spark change towards the direction of improvement. I want to show students this data so they are aware of their current condition and help them understand the consequences of their habits. I hope this can help students understand the value of sleep and a healthy diet as well as balance so they can effectively plan their schedule prioritizing sleep. For my original work, I hope to bring awareness and educate students on what happens biologically when they struggle with a disorder. The articles I read this week were very eye-opening and helped me understand the issue of implementation in regards to healthy habits. Although students know that they need sleep, it is difficult for them to prioritize it which causes a lack of consistency and value of healthy habits in their lifestyle. These articles also gave me the idea of focusing on helping students identify a holistic health plan which incorporates their understanding of the role of genetics and environmental factors in their mental health. I want to help students understand the complex relationship between these factors and their impact on overall health. Next week I would like to understand sleep habits in our community so I can create a targeted education method for our school.