Up all night, and sleep all day. Does this sound like your teen, or the way you remember being a teenager?
The fact of the matter is teens need their sleep; however, with so much going on in their lives from studying, to hanging out with friends and not wanting to miss a thing, teens can find themselves nodding off during a class they really should be paying attention to.
According to sleepfoundation.org, not getting enough sleep or having sleep difficulties can have these affects on your teenager:
• Limit their ability to learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems.
• Make them more prone to acne.
• Cause aggression or inappropriate behavior such as yelling at friends or being impatient with teachers or family members.
• Cause them to eat too much or eat unhealthy foods like sweets and fried foods that lead to weight gain.
So how can you help your teen get the recommended 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep each night to function best? Here are a few tips to share with your teen:
• Naps are good. Naps can provide a quick pickme- up to help them work more efficiently. Proper planning is important. Naps that are too long or too close to bedtime can interfere with regular sleep.
• Make the bedroom a sleep haven. Keep it cool, quiet and dark. Consider installing blackout curtains and then let in bright light in the morning to signal him or her to wake up.
• No pills, vitamins or drinks can replace good sleep. Consuming caffeine close to bedtime can hurt sleep, so get them to avoid coffee, tea, soda/pop and chocolate late in the day.
• Establish a bed and wake-time and get your teen stick to it, even on the weekends. A consistent sleep schedule will help them feel less tired since it allows their bodies to get in sync with its natural patterns. Your teen will find that it’s easier to fall asleep at bedtime with this type of routine.
• Encourage your teen not to eat, drink or exercise within a few hours of bedtime and not to leave their homework until the last minute. Get them to stick to quiet, calm activities, and they will fall asleep much more easily.
If you have trouble sleeping, try these tips yourself!
