Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Psychiatry. Aug 19, 2026; 16(8): 114838
Published online Aug 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.114838
Published online Aug 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.114838
Mind over mattress: Why beliefs about sleep can make or break a medical student
Xenab Rizwan, Prakash V A K Ramdass, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, St. George’s University School of Medicine, University Centre Grenada, St. George 10001, Grenada
Author contributions: Rizwan X designed the overall concept, outline, and manuscript design; led the writing, contributed to the discussion, contributed to the review of the literature, created the image; Ramdass PVAK designed the overall concept, outline, and manuscript design, contributed to the discussion, contributed to the review of the literature, edited the manuscript. All authors approved the final version to be published.
AI contribution statement: Grammarly and Microsoft Editor were used. The entire manuscript was checked by these tools. The tools were used for language polishing and grammar corrections.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Prakash V A K Ramdass, MD, Professor, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, St. George’s University School of Medicine, University Centre Grenada, Chancellor Modica Campus, True Blue, St. George 10001, Grenada.
Received: October 1, 2025
Revised: February 25, 2026
Accepted: May 14, 2026
Published online: August 19, 2026
Processing time: 296 Days and 14.3 Hours
Revised: February 25, 2026
Accepted: May 14, 2026
Published online: August 19, 2026
Processing time: 296 Days and 14.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: For medical students, the belief that sleep is expendable is a critical academic liability. Research shows dysfunctional sleep beliefs-not just poor sleep habits-indirectly undermine grades by degrading sleep quality. This is especially damaging for “night owls”, whose biology clashes with academic schedules, fueling a cycle of anxiety and poor rest. The solution requires a paradigm shift from preaching sleep hygiene to targeting maladaptive psychology with cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia and institutional reforms that accommodate chronotype diversity. Ultimately, it is the mind, not just the mattress, that dictates academic success.