In recent months, new studies have been popping up all across
the world, giving us new facts and statistics about teenagers
lacking in sleep.
The Coloradoan has printed several articles with these new
facts and I have been waiting quietly in the corner to see if
Poudre School District will take any notice of them. It seems that
they apparently have not. But why should they, really?
As long as the students fill the minimum amount of class time
for graduation requirements of their school, it doesn't matter if
they are tired or not.
As a matter of fact, even my mother thinks this is
"nonsense." She tells me that if I went to bed earlier (even though
I hardly stay up late) or used the extra time I spend on my hair to
sleep longer, I would be fine. But I hardly think that's true at
all.
Even these facts prove that ten extra minutes is hardly
enough.
The Average teenager gets 7 hours of sleep a night, when it is
crucial that they get a
minimum of 9.5.
During puberty, extra amounts of melatonin and sleep hormones
are produced so the extra sleep can help their bodies recover from
growth spurts.
Teens require almost 2 hours more sleep than their younger
siblings, yet middle and high school class times often start an
hour earlier than elementary.
20 percent of High School students have fallen asleep in class
at least once.
Because of being woken so early, a teenager's circadian rhythm
tells them they are not tired at night. Because of this, a teen
that goes to bed at 9:30 may not even fall asleep until after
11:00.
Alarms clocks cause teenagers to be jerked from sleep and leave
them feeling unrefreshed, as if they never slept at all.
Teenagers are starting to overpower adults at Starbucks. More
than 50 percent of teens rely on coffee or some other form of
caffeine to get through their day.
Sleep deprivation is the number one cause of teenage moodiness,
depression and the inability to focus during crucial daytime
activities. It is also the cause of 55 percent of teenage car
crashes.
I know that a typical day for me includes more than one point of
exhaustion. When I arrive at school, I usually feel like falling
asleep before first period even begins. After that I get a kick of
energy that lasts until lunch, and then I just feel like sitting in
the commons staring at the walls again.
From then on, it's up and down. When I arrive home, I maybe
lie down in my room for a few minutes before I have to babysit. If
I have homework, maybe not. Sometimes even babysitting, something I
love, feels like a chore. I just want to sit and watch T.V., not
play games or cook dinner.
I'm simply exhausted and I know I'm not alone. I simply live
for Tuesdays when I can sleep in.
It was quite a brilliant idea, late start Tuesday. But it wasn't
really established for the interest of the students - it was to
give the staff time to have meetings in the morning, so they
wouldn't have to stay even later after hours.
I would bet a PSD representative that if they came to school
on a Tuesday, they may find students just a little more alert than
on a Monday or a Friday. I know I would be, just that extra hour of
sleep alone make me feel good, not to mention being able to take my
time eating and getting ready.
I'm not one for running well on low energy. I love Tuesdays;
I wish we could have them every day.
Late Start everyday?
To students, it would be a dream come true, but there is a
slim-to-nothing chance it could ever happen. For starters, the bus
schedule would mix with the elementary schooler's, causing quite
the mess.
Not to mention rearranging the schedule would be a pain for
those poor PSD people. I say we trade places with the elementaries
- start at 9:00 and go until 4:00 and they can start at 7:40 and
get out at 3:10.
I don't see why this wouldn't work. The above statistics
claim that our younger siblings need TWO HOURS LESS sleep than we
do and I know for a fact my sister would love to be out of school a
little earlier in the afternoon.
Unfortunately, I don't see this happening anywhere in my high
school career, so here are some tips doctors give to teenagers to
help them get the sleep they so desperately need:
Keep your bedtime consistent. Watch your sleep pattern; are you
one that stays up late 3 or more nights a week? Keep your bedtime
at a later hour then, you will feel better than having a mix of
early-late-early-late nights
"Bedtime Activities," as doctors refer to them as, let your body
know it is time to chill out. Try taking a bath, then brushing your
teeth and reading in bed for an hour before you want to go to
sleep.
Many teens rely on caffeine to get through the day. Try to shy
away from any caffeine after six p.m. at night.
Exercise helps anyone of any age feel exhausted, but it is
crucial that any type of exercise occurs at least three hours
before bedtime. Exercise gives endorphins, endorphins give you
energy.
Take a look at
http://lahabra.seniorhigh.net/pages/admin/TeensNeedSleep.html for more facts, statistics, and schools who have taken a
stance on teens and sleep deprivation.