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So, your teenagers are sleeping past noon on weekends and it's
driving you crazy... Well, relax. It's not necessarily a sign that
they're becoming lazy and unmotivated. They're more likely catching
up on much-needed sleep and will perform better in school, at work,
or at home if they can catch a few extra "zzzz's."
Recent research shows that not getting enough sleep can have serious
consequences for anyone; however, teens are especially vulnerable. "During
adolescence, important changes occur in patterns of sleep and wakefulness,"
says Mark Mahowald, M.D., medical director of the Minnesota Regional
Sleep Disorders Center.
"A change occurs in the biological
clock of adolescents, shifting to a later time, which means that
even if they go to bed early, they will not be able to fall asleep
as early as when they were younger. They must therefore sleep later
in order to awaken rested and restored."
If they're in school, chances are they're getting up earlier than
their bodies are telling them to. By the weekend, they have a sleep
deficit and need to catch up.
Unfortunately, our society's attitudes about sleep stand in the
way of developing healthy sleep habits. Sleep is often considered
a waste of time and sleeping late, napping, or falling asleep in
class or social settings are seen as sure signs of laziness, depression,
boredom, or rebellion against responsibilities.
The American work
ethic has fostered the idea that sleep is negotiable, and that the less
you can get by on, the better person you are. This especially holds
true for teens, who are often juggling school, jobs, extracurricular
activities, and a social life. Getting by on little sleep becomes
a badge of honor.
Sleep requirements vary greatly from person to person. The average
is seven to eight hours, but the range is five to 10. Your genes determine
how much sleep you need and you have no more control over it than
you do your height or eye color.
There is also medical evidence
that some people are "larks" who bound out of bed at sunrise
and are ready to conquer the world, and some people are "owls"
who would be perfectly happy rising at noon and going full steam
until 2 a.m. Again, this is a trait that you have little, if any,
control over. Your environment and lifestyle must be integrated
to fit these genetic patterns.
What can you and your teenager do to be "sleep-healthy?"
- Understand that each person's body has its own sleep needs
and getting enough sleep is just as necessary as proper food and
drink.
- Realize that any degree of sleepiness impairs performance—from
at the school desk to behind the wheel of a car.
- Assess extracurricular and employment activities. School performance
will suffer if other activities cut too sharply into sleep time.
- Listen to your body. If you are often sleepy, get more sleep, nap or sleep-in when possible.
- Encourage school districts to alter school starting times for
teenagers in accordance with scientific facts.
- Encourage sleep education at all levels—from primary school
through college. Do not assume your physician is adequately educated
in sleep; the vast majority of medical schools are woefully lacking
in educating physicians regarding sleep.
- Give sleep the respect it deserves. You wouldn't scorn someone
for eating or drinking when they're hungry or thirsty—why
scorn them for sleeping when they're tired?
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Two Locations
Palm Bay Community Hospital
1425 Malabar Road NE, Suite 250
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Cocoa Beach
105 S. Banana River Blvd.
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Who needs sleep evaluation?
Tips for better sleep
Sleep Centers main page
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