It’s been proven countless times that sleep is super important for supporting teenagers’ growth and development, yet a lot of teens choose to stay up all night and hardly sleep. Whether it’s because of studying, talking with friends, playing video games, etc., they aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep they need. This affects their health, social life, and schoolwork. So how can this be fixed? 

It’s recommended that teens from ages 13-18 should get between 8-10 hours of sleep a night according to The National Sleep Foundation. There are a lot of benefits to getting the proper amount of sleep for both physical and mental health. However, not getting enough sleep can seriously affect a person’s wellbeing. 

The National Institutes of Health say that some of the physical effects of lack of sleep can cause heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and obesity. Driving while overtired has caused car accidents and fatalities. In elderly adults, lack of sleep may cause a higher chance of falls and broken bones. 

Sleep deficiency also affects mental health. There is an increased risk of depression and anxiety, as well as irritability and mood swings. If somebody already has pre-existing mental health conditions, a lack of sleep can worsen those symptoms. Decision making and sound judgements may be clouded by being too tired, which may lead to severe consequences. 

It’s harder for teenagers to focus and pay attention when they don’t get enough sleep, which impacts their schoolwork. It may be harder for them to restore what they learn when they’re tired. When asked about how sleep affects their ability to concentrate in school, one senior said: “I feel really unmotivated to learn or do anything [at school]. I’d rather just be sleeping the whole day.”

While the reason they could be not sleeping enough is by talking to friends, lack of sleep affects a person’s social life too. They may socially withdraw, talk less, and isolate themselves because they’re so tired. 

All of these can negatively affect a person’s life and become serious issues if not taken care of. There are many ways to improve sleep quality and feel more rested throughout the day.

Mayo Clinic recommends sticking to a sleep schedule and staying consistent to enforce your body’s sleep-wake cycle, limiting naps during the day, and including some form of physical activity daily. The National Sleep Foundation also recommends turning off all electronics 30 minutes before going to bed. 

While it’s easy to accidentally get distracted and stay up too late, it’s important to not underestimate the importance of sleep. By getting enough sleep and having a good routine, you’re actively taking care of your health and protecting important areas of your life that would otherwise be negatively impacted.