Do you constantly feel tired? Do you have trouble focusing during class? Are you always in a bad mood ? If so, you might not be getting enough sleep. Don’t worry, you are not the only one! According to the National Sleep Foundation, “more than 87 percent of high school students in the United States get far less than the recommended eight to 10 hours” (Teens). Teenagers need the most sleep because their body’s circadian rhythm is changing.
Sleep deprivation can cause moodiness, depression, memory problems, hallucinations, weight gain, high blood pressure, etc (Effects). The consequences of not getting enough sleep might not be evident now, but they can cause chronic damage to your body. In addition, sleep deprivation affects both you and those around you. Statistics show that every year more than 10,000 car crashes are caused by people falling asleep while driving (Teens).
Tips for having a better sleep according to the National Sleep Foundation:
- Stop using electronic devices before your bedtime.
- Have a consistent sleeping schedule.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks at night
- Do not procrastinate
Sources
“Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Body.” Healthline. 19 Aug. 2014. Web. 9 Oct. 2016. <http://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body>.
Richter, Ruthann. “Among Teens, Sleep Deprivation an Epidemic.” Stanford Medicine News Center. 08 Oct. 2015. Web. 9 Oct. 2016. <https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2015/10/among-teens-sleep-deprivation-an-epidemic.html>.
“Teens and Sleep.” National Sleep Foundation. Web. 9 Oct. 2016. <https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep/page/0/1>.
