By Tom McMahon
Posted: 03/02/2011 12:00:00 AM PST
Adolescents are nocturnal creatures. They have a natural tendency to stay up late -- 11 p.m. or later -- and to awaken late in the morning. But there's one problem with this arrangement: school! Classes usually begin between 7 and 8 a.m. As a result, only one-fourth of adolescents get the recommended 8.5 to 9.25 hours of sleep each night. Twenty-six percent get 6.5 hours or less each school night. Lack of sleep often translates into poor school performance, negative moods (anger, sadness, etc.), increased use of stimulants and increased risk of unintentional injuries and death. One study found that young drivers age 25 or younger (peak age was 20) cause more than one-half of fall-asleep car crashes.The National Sleep Foundation has some practical advice for sleepy teens: (1) Get into bright light as soon as possible in the morning. (2) On weekends and other mornings when you sleep in late, awaken within two hours of your regular schedule. (3) Limit stimulating activities during the hour before bedtime. (4) Remember that sleep is food for the brain. Lack of sleep can make you look tired and feel depressed. Sufficient sleep helps you think more clearly, complete complex tasks better and enjoy everyday life more fully.
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