Key to a great day and success = A good night sleep!
At a time when they should be focusing on making the grades to get into college, sleep researchers report that today’s teens are nodding off in class out of sheer exhaustion. Whether burning the midnight oil or working an after-school job, too many teens get by on too little sleep, with potentially devastating consequences.
Contrary to the belief that the need for sleep diminishes with age, the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research reported that adolescents actually need more sleep than children just a few years younger. But few adults or teens are aware of this. As Dr. Richard Allen, founder of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center, points out, “Teens tend to get only six to seven hours of sleep, which isn’t enough. They should be getting at least eight to nine hours. “Helping teens get better sleep requires a shift in attitudes among teens and parents. Here are a few tips parents should follow:
• Make sure teens get enough sleep. “The most important advice for parents is to help your kids get at least eight hours of sleep on school nights – particularly the night before an exam,” said Dr. Allen.
• Let teens make up lost sleep. Let teens sleep in a bit on the weekends if they need it. It’s not laziness – it’s a biological need. Also help your teen get more sleep during the week.
• Talk to teens about the risks of going without sleep. Help them establish priorities. They won’t do well on tests if they stay up all night studying and then fall asleep during the exam. Nor will they be safe drivers if they haven’t had enough sleep.
• Make sure teens have a good sleep environment. The recipe for healthy sleep requires a room that’s dark, on the cool side, quiet, safe and comfortable.
• Provide teens with comfortable, supportive bedding. Because they’re growing, teens need more sleep than many other age groups, and yet they often don’t have the most important piece of equipment for getting a good night’s sleep: a quality mattress. Parents should not give their teens hand-me-down bedding. A good rule of thumb: If a bed is no longer good enough for you, it’s not good enough for your teens, either.
The above Information is courtesy of the Better Sleep Council www.bettersleep.org
Getting a good night’s sleep is the key to having a successful day and producing top quality work. Although it is not possible to achieve the ideal amount or quality of sleep every night, it is important on days that you have major projects, test, games, presentations, etc. that you try to get the best night sleep possible.
