Sleeping Teens

Sleeping teens, the words may not sound like they fit well together. Teens are continuously trapped in a stimulus filled world. They have more to do than they ever have. They have more interests, activities, and more responsibilities. As a result, many begin to go through stages of not getting enough sleep. Parents need to know what they should and shouldn't expect from teen sleeping patterns.

Learn why sleep is important for teens

Sleep is something subjective from person to person, but the fact is, everyone needs sleep. Doctors often say sleep is just as important as water, food and air for survival. Those who do not get enough sleep as a teenager, risk being moody, facing a reduction in reaction times, and may be involved in more injuries and illnesses.

Biologically, the body experiences a shift in sleeping patterns during the teen years. Teens are more likely to be unable to fall asleep at earlier hours of the night. For example, even if teens went to bed at 9 p.m. throughout their childhood, this would naturally, gradually get pushed back as they age. Most teens naturally can't fall asleep prior to 11 p.m.

How much sleep a teen needs is dependent on many factors, including how active they are. Doctors recommend that teens get at least 9.25 hours of sleep per night. This amount of sleep is required for good health, good function of the brain and the body as a whole. Some teens will do well and see no reduction in their abilities with just 8.5 hours of sleep per night. Most teenagers don't get enough sleep, with only 15 percent of teens getting 8.5 hours of sleep per night on school nights.

All teens can experience times of sleep deprivation or other sleep disorders. One of the most common sleeping problems for teens is irregular sleep patterns. Teens who sleep different hours throughout the week and on weekends may have reduced reaction times and a lessening of their functioning ability because of it. The quality of sleep is less in this situation, which can leave them susceptible to illnesses and injury.

Other, more serious, sleep disorders can affect teens. These include:

• Narcolepsy
• Insomnia
• Sleep Apnea
• Restless Legs Syndrome

Those who have the symptoms of any of these illnesses should seek out a doctor's help. This includes these symptoms:

• Problems sleeping three or more nights per week, or in a row
• Problems calming the mind prior to bed
• Difficulty breathing, being overweight
• Waking tired or unrested after a full night's sleep
• Falling asleep without trying, often at inopportune times

Sleeping teens are healthier than those who are not. Those that don't get enough sleep face problems including:

• Limited ability to learn and concentrate both in and out of school
• Difficulty remembering names, numbers, or responsibilities
• Aggressive behavior, often yelling or being impatient
• More likely to be involved in car accidents, sports injuries and face more serious illnesses
• Eating too much or eating unhealthy foods, with cravings for sweets and fried foods
• More acne

When they get enough sleep, the brains of sleeping teens are able to react to stimuli better, allowing the teens to make better decisions throughout their life.

It's important to note that one of the largest problems for teens getting enough sleep is school itself. School start times for teens tend to be earlier than those of younger children. Yet, their bodies are naturally able to go to sleep later. Therefore, if teens are staying up until 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., because they can't fall asleep prior to this, and they are getting up at 5 a.m. to 6 a.m., most are not getting enough sleep.

In some areas, schools have adjusted start times to accommodate for better sleep patterns for teens and in doing so have seem improved grades and attendance. For teens struggling with early morning hours at school, talk to the school's counselor about adjustments to their schedule to better accommodate these needs.

• Sleep Requirements by Age
• Sleep Apnea Full Face Masks
• Foods Containing L-Tryptophan
• Why Is Sleep Important

• Pure Sleep
• Melatonin Forums
• How to Put Someone to Sleep
• Stop Snoring Mouthpiece
• How Long Can You Live Without Sleep

• Menopause and Sleep
• Medication for Restless Leg Syndrome
• Sleepwalking in Adults
• Sleep Paralysis
• Sleep Deprivation Symptoms