Sleep and rest patterns are very important for people of all ages, and especially so for teenagers as you are going through a time of rapid growth and development. Additionally, the added stress that comes with the teenage years can add more demands to the body and the mind resulting in a greater demand for sleep and rest. It is recommended that teenagers get approximately 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night and that your sleep patterns are consistent throughout the entire week (ie. you don’t need to catch upon sleep during the weekend).
The teenage brain development is different than when they were younger and it is very common for teenagers to get tired later at night and wake up later in the morning, naturally speaking. Medical research has shown that it can take up to 2-3 hours longer to feel sleepy at night for teenagers than it does for someone who is younger or older, like an adult. Unfortunately this creates many problems for teenagers as the school schedule requires them to wake up earlier than their body and brain want to, and this could lead to:
- problems waking up
- falling asleep during the day (eg. in a class)
- skipping breakfast and not nourishing the body and brain
- feeling grumpy through the day and treating people in ways that you would not normally do
- physical and mental exhaustion
- a weakened immune system
- increased stress levels
- unhealthy weight gain: cravings for high sugary foods, such as candies, pop, and baked goods
- decreased learning potential and lower academic progress
- an increase in risky health choices around the use of substances
Sleep Quiz
Click on the link below to take a personal sleep quiz to see how well you sleep patterns are doing. This quiz is meant for simple information purposes only; it is not meant to diagnose any sleep problems you might be having. If you are interested or concerned speak with your family and/or a doctor. Sleep Quiz
Tips for Sleeping Better
Click on the links below for information from the BC Ministry of Health on ways you could increase your sleep patterns:
Sleep Videos
Five Tips For Falling Asleep Quicker (5:23)
What Happens to Your Body and Brain if You Don’t Get Sleep (4:49)
Sleep (5:44)