Sleep is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health, yet many people don’t get enough of it — especially teens. Teens need 8-10 hours of sleep every night, but 85% percent of them are getting less than 8.5 hours every night. When teens don’t get enough rest, the stakes are high because they are at a critical stage in their physical and psychological development.
Mood
Your teen is likely going to encounter mood swings as puberty gets into full gear. However, some of these mood fluctuations could be due to a lack of sleep. Getting enough sleep can give your child a more positive outlook on the world and help them not feel so overwhelmed. Not getting enough can do just the opposite. Teens who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to feel hopeless or sad, and they may also exhibit impulse-control issues. Your teen is more likely to suffer from acne if they aren’t sleeping enough, and this factor can definitely put them in a bad mood. Not getting enough sleep leaves teens open to anxious behavior, like worrying or lashing out. Being a teen is hard enough without adding to it by not getting enough rest. Help your teen find a good sleep routine and see if their mood stabilizes.
Daily Functioning
It’s hard to make it through the day if you don’t get enough quality sleep. Teens who are short on sleep may have trouble remembering information, managing tasks, and fighting off infections. Problem-solving skills are compromised when you run low on sleep, and so is your ability to concentrate. There are also physical risks that come when your teen stays up all night. Teens are highly at risk for drowsy driving, so it’s important they get enough sleep so they can perform daily tasks and function properly. Driving tired has been compared to driving drunk and should be taken just as seriously.
Brain Growth
A teen’s brain is still developing, and it needs a proper amount of sleep to do this effectively. The prefrontal cortex is one of the last areas of the brain to develop, but it is arguably one of the most important. This part of the brain helps kids make decisions and regulate their emotions, two activities you want your teen to be good at during this phase of life. Lack of sleep affects the prefrontal cortex’s development. It can also lead to an increased risk of depression. Your child may also choose risky behavior, such as drinking or taking drugs, because their decision-making ability is compromised. You knew when your child was an infant that they needed sleep for brain development. Look at your teen the same way. They need to stick to a sleep schedule and have healthy resting habits to optimize their mental, physical, and emotional growth.
Sleep is important for everyone, but teens are especially likely to have their rest compromised by distractions, early school starts, and lack of routine. Help your child create a sleep routine that works so that they can feel their best.