In her presentation, Freizinger focused on the physical and emotional effects of stress, and said that daily stress is a significant cause of sleeping problems.

"Chances are, if you can manage stress you'll probably sleep better," she said.

Freizinger recommended that students follow a procedure known as the "relaxation response" twice a day to manage stress and improve the quality of their sleep.

In a handout, she described the relaxation response as sitting down in a comfortable place, removing all potential distractions, closing one's eyes and attempting to relax for 20 minutes.

While the panel members emphasized getting adequate, regular amounts of sleep, audience questions focused on how to best handle an already problematic sleep schedule.

Regestein told audience members that there is not much a person can do to change the amount of sleep he or she needs.

"You'll have to take it up with God," he said. "It's the way it is."