High school can be an exceptionally busy four years for many students. Academics, sports, music, clubs, and social activities can all contribute to an enriching yet often stressful high school experience. With all these activities, one important pastime that is often neglected is sleep. This is becoming a growing problem among teenagers: according to a study reported by the National Sleep Foundation (link given below), only fifteen percent of teens reported sleeping the recommended amount of eight to ten hours on school nights. Unfortunately, sleep also happens to be crucial to healthy teenage brain development, and lack of it can cause mental problems ranging from irritability to memory loss. I have personally experienced the effects of this as well, and can say with certainty that lack of sleep affects my ability to properly function in school both academically and socially.
Many officials are considering a variety of potential solutions to help alleviate sleep deprivation among students. One popular idea is to start school later; although this could complicate busing transportation and after-school extracurriculars, I believe that the benefits would far outweigh the disadvantages. Indeed, in a recent, three-year study with over 9,000 students (link also given below), later school start times led to a general increase in standardized test scores as well as decreased tardiness and student automobile crashes. Other, easier strategies to implement include familial supervision of technology - artificial light decreases production of the sleep cycle hormone melatonin - or even daily naps. Whatever the case, it is clear that if we wish to improve student health, we should start with improving student sleep.
Here’s a link with great information on the complex relationship between sleep and the teenage brain and body:
http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep?page=0%2C0
This is the three-year study mentioned above:
http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/03/12/want-to-improve-test-scores-start-the-school-day-later-and-take-away-student-devices-at-night.aspx
Many officials are considering a variety of potential solutions to help alleviate sleep deprivation among students. One popular idea is to start school later; although this could complicate busing transportation and after-school extracurriculars, I believe that the benefits would far outweigh the disadvantages. Indeed, in a recent, three-year study with over 9,000 students (link also given below), later school start times led to a general increase in standardized test scores as well as decreased tardiness and student automobile crashes. Other, easier strategies to implement include familial supervision of technology - artificial light decreases production of the sleep cycle hormone melatonin - or even daily naps. Whatever the case, it is clear that if we wish to improve student health, we should start with improving student sleep.
Here’s a link with great information on the complex relationship between sleep and the teenage brain and body:
http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep?page=0%2C0
This is the three-year study mentioned above:
http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/03/12/want-to-improve-test-scores-start-the-school-day-later-and-take-away-student-devices-at-night.aspx