By Brian Johnsrud
For many teens across the nation, resounding factors affecting their health, their school work and their families. Teens are getting burned out. Between after school activities, sports, school work, and little sleep, its a wonder we can fit our lives in our schedule. Although it can be more than difficult for some students, for many teens it is simply considered a way of life. But soon there forms a thin layer between overly busy and exhaustingly overwhelmed.
Studies show that adolescents need an hour and fifteen minutes more sleep than the eight hours suggested for adults. Why is there such a need? Sometime in late puberty, the teen-age body secretes the sleep-related hormone melatonin at a different time than normal changing the circadian rhythms that guide peoples sleep-wake cycle. This causes them to fall asleep and wake up later. So no matter how hard a teen tries, it will be physically easier to go to bed at later times and sleep in.
Scarcity of slumber can have resounding effect on a teens day, also. Teen sleep deprivation is associated with processing information and memory skills, increased irritability, anxiety, depression, and ability to handle complex tasks. All of these needed in a school day, sleep becomes a valuable necessity for students, and atrocity for students missing it. With over 20 percent of high school students falling asleep in school, teachers are searching for a remedy.
Many cities are starting classes at 9:30-10, and the results have been staggering. Not only are the mornings more friendly and relaxed, but the later afternoon classes arent so tiring. Studies show that students generally learn better at around 3, usually the time that most schools get over.
But not only is tiredness a factor. For many students fatigue also plays a key role. Coaches and peers constantly pushing harder and harder to improve your athletic ability, practices not getting out until past eight oclock dont help. Striving to improve your physical condition, these endurance exercises can cause pressing mental issues. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), often misdiagnosed among teens, lately has been striking athletes. Symptoms include mild fever, muscle weakness, and soar throat. Side effects can be mild to severe, including fatigue and depression. A full recovery can be expected, though the symptoms may last up to six months.
Sleep isnt taken that seriously by many Americans. Lately sleep, the thing we all need, seems to be put on the bottom of our list of priorities.
