Even a small change, like going to bed a little earlier, can make a big difference. A good night’s sleep before getting out the easel and paint brushes or the pen and paper can have a positive impact. In addition to consolidating memories, or making them stronger, your brain appears to reorganize and restructure them, which may result in more creativity as well. Researchers at Harvard University and Boston College found that people seem to strengthen the emotional components of a memory during sleep, which may help spur the creative process. If this is disrupted, you may find yourself struggling to remember your assigned tasks or how to approach creative ideas you had the other day. Sufficient sleep is important to athletic performance as well. I caught up to our own Athletic Trainer, Mr. Shawn Petrucci, and asked him to share his thoughts about the value of sleep. He says, “To perform at your best don’t neglect sleep. Get proper rest in weekly cycles, not just the night before a big event or game.” He recommends 8-9 hours of sleep every night for student-athletes. According to him, studies have found when athletes slept 8 or more hours per night they were less likely to suffer injury and/or illness. “Develop a routine and make regular sleep a priority,” says Shawn. For any student-athlete, sleep monitoring and management is just as important as managing training exercises and nutrition. Claire Chadronet plays for the Unified Basketball team and is in the RISE program here at NKHS. She summed it up, “Your body and brain need to rest and sleep is a great way to get more energy for the next morning.” Be OK NK,  weather the storm by finding that clean wave (of sleep) and catch some quality zzz’s. Roll Skips!