With school, sports, part-time jobs, homework and more, most teens do not lack for things to do. But, with so much on the agenda, how can they be at their best every day? No surprise, it begins with a good night's sleep.

Did your teen get enough sleep last night?

With school, sports, part-time jobs, homework and more, most teens do not lack for things to do. But, with so much on the agenda, how can they be at their best every day? No surprise, it begins with a good night's sleep.

 

Early to bed, early to rise

Evidence suggests that teenagers are indeed seriously sleep deprived. A 2006 poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that more than half (51%) of adolescents complained of being too tired or sleepy during the day, and nearly two in ten (19%) said they fell asleep at school. The amount of sleep a teenager gets affects how he or she thinks, feels, looks & acts.

Early to bed, early to rise

Many of our teens are falling asleep in class, arriving late to school, feeling down, & driving drowsy because of a lack of sleep. What’s more, parents are mostly in the dark about their adolescents' sleep. While most students know they’re not getting the sleep they need, most parents believe that their adolescent is getting enough sleep during the school week. Sleep is vital to a teens well-being, as important as the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. It can even help manage the stress of being a teen.

The consequences of poor sleep

Not getting enough sleep or having sleep difficulties can:

  • Limit the ability to learn, listen, concentrate & solve problems
  • Make you more prone to pimples. Lack of sleep can contribute to acne and other skin problems
  • Lead to aggressive or inappropriate behavior such as yelling at friends or being impatient with teachers or family members
  • Cause poor eating habits and cause you to eat too much or eat unhealthy foods like sweets and fried foods that lead to weight gain
  • Heighten the effects of alcohol and possibly increase use of caffeine and nicotine
  • Contribute to illness, not using equipment safely or driving drowsy

10 simple sleep tips for teens

  1. Sleep on a good bed like Sealy Posturepedic
  2. Make sleep a priority
  3. Keep consistency in mind. Establish a regular routine
  4. Encourage your teen to sleep between 8-1/2 to 9 hours a night
  5. Be mindful of stimulants. Decrease consumption of caffeine in the afternoon including sodas
  6. Like kids, wind-down before bedtime. Avoid activities that keep the mind racing like video games or heavy studying
  7. Say no to all-nighters. Get a good night's sleep before exams
  8. Ensure there is enough time to wind down before bedtime
  9. Make compromises when it comes to extracurricular activities
  10. Talk to your teens about the importance of sleep

For additional information on sleep wellness, you can visit the National Sleep Foundation at www.sleepfoundation.org or visit the Better Sleep Council Canada at www.bettersleep.ca.

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