Impact of thinking and sleep on life

Apart from working hard and smart, positive thinking and sufficient sleep have an impact on students’ daily performance including in examinations. 

DISTED School of Psychology head and consultant clinical health psychologist Dr Gavin Macdonell (right) speaking on success thinking and sleep to SMJK Keat Hwa 2 students at their school.

SMJK Keat Hwa 2 (Alor Setar) student Lim Qin Jing said: “I’ve learnt that a key to success in studies and in life is to think positively.” 

“For general well-being and to boost performance when taking an exam, sleep is an important factor. Knowing how to induce proper sleep is essential,” she remarked. 

Her school mate Yong Yi Jian commented: “The success thinking talk gave me useful pointers to shape a healthier mindset for tackling the challenges in life.” 

“As for sleep, we should not cheat on it and accumulate sleep debt. Sleeping enough hours is fundamental to maintaining clear thinking and achieving the best in our endeavours,” he stressed. 

SMJK Keat Hwa 2 students at the life skills psychology talk conducted by DISTED at their school.

Lim and Yong shared the insights that they had gained from the talk on success thinking and sleep given by DISTED College School of Psychology head and consultant clinical health psychologist Dr Gavin Macdonell at their school on 13 July 2012. 

“The talk was to guide the students on identifying unhealthy thinking styles and replacing them with positive thinking. 

“The way we think can determine our motivation and emotional health. Hence, it’s important to regulate our thinking so that it works for us instead of against us. 

“By practising helpful thinking strategies and having proper sleep, students too can enhance their examination achievements,” said Dr Gavin. 

SMJK Keat Hwa 2 students posing with the speaker Dr Gavin Macdonell (back row, fourth from right) and DISTED marketing executive Billy Ooi Wei Jian (right).

When speaking on sleep, Dr Gavin highlighted that it could be affected by increased physiological and cognitive arousal arising from stress and emotional upset. 

He warned that short-term sleep disturbance could become chronic due to maladaptive habits or unhelpful cognitions about sleep.

With DISTED School of Psychology head and consultant clinical health psychologist Dr Gavin Macdonell (centre) are SMJK Keat Hwa 2 students Lim Qin Jing (left) and Yong Yi Jian.