How can help teens prevent school stress? Teenagers often face a lot of challenges at this part of their lives, especially with school. They’re growing, studying, learning, and so on. 

But with that said, the daily pressures of school can cause stress, which can affect how your teen is sleeping at night. While the lack of sleep is normal for teenagers, it doesn’t have to be this way.

This quick guide will explore why sleep is important for teens, and how they can get a good night’s sleep despite the stresses that can come from school.

Why So Sleepy?

“Believe it or not, a teenager’s life can be very hectic, even in school,” says Zachary Hincks, a health writer. “The problem is, there’s an obvious need for ‘downtime,’ so that teens can rejuvenate and be more alert and relaxed during their school days. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection, or the CDC, suggests that teens should sleep between 8 and 10 hours per 24 hours. However, late nights are tempting for teens, whether they’re hitting the books, cramming for a test the next day, or out with friends.”

Why Does Sleep Matter?

Sleep is crucial for teens, because the lack of it can lead to the following:

• Trouble in school
• Impaired memory
• Lack of motivation
• The inability to concentrate
• Prone to accidents (i.e. car crashes)
• Depression and or anxiety

With sleep, teens will be able to gain more energy for the next day, even when they’ve had a rough day at school the day before. 

Tips For Teens To Sleep Well

So, now that you know how important it is for your teen(s) to get a good night’s sleep, here are some helpful tips on how you can ensure that they’re resting well. With these tips, you can help them prevent the stresses of school from eating away at them:

• • Having a bedtime routine should consist of the following: 
    • Having a consistent bedtime (say, 8:00 PM every night)
    • A light snack before bed
    • Keeping the room dark, cool, and quiet at night
    • Turning the lights on (or open the curtains) right after they get up in the morning
  • The bed should be for sleeping only. That means teens should do their homework, be on mobile devices, etc. off and away from the bed. 
  • Limit your teen’s naps to 30 minutes or less.
  • Make sure your teen is exercising every day.
  • Limit your teen’s caffeine (i.e., coffee, soda, tea, energy drinks) intake. 
  • Don’t heavily rely on over-the-counter sleep aids to help your teen sleep. 
  • Don’t ever let your teen aid their sleep with drugs or alcohol.
  • Limit your teen’s screen time before bedtime.
  • Have your teen keep a sleep diary to keep track of:
    • What time(s) they’ve been going to bed
    • What’s causing them to have difficulty sleeping
    • Any upcoming tests and or events that they might be worrying about, etc.

What Teens Can Do If They Can’t Fall Asleep

“Sometimes, despite taking the necessary steps in getting ready for bed, teens may still find it hard to simply fall asleep,” says Jamie Sambell, a psychology blogger. “The best thing for them to do is to get up and distract themselves with reading or drawing until they get tired. This allows your body to prep for sleep naturally.”

When Teens Should See A Doctor

Seeing a doctor can be a last resort, if your teen(s) are still having trouble sleeping at night. You may want to take note of your teen’s sleep habits as you take them to the doctor.

With that said, contact your teen’s doctor, if they’re experiencing the following: 

• • Waking up during the night, and can’t go back to sleep
  • Waking too early in the morning
  • Lack of energy despite getting enough sleep
  • Not doing homework
  • Not attending school
  • Having excessive feelings of sadness, depression, and or anxiety
  • Lack of focus
  • Other illnesses or ailments (i.e., loss of appetite, headaches, etc.)

Conclusion

As you can see, sleep is essential for teen(s). While school is extremely important, so is a good night’s sleep.

We hope that this guide was helpful in understanding why sleep is important to your teen(s), and how you can ensure that they’re sleeping well at night. With this guide in mind, you can help them prevent the stresses of school from eating away at them.

Also read:

The Sleep-Deprived Teen

Why Therapeutic Boarding Schools Are Effective

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If you are struggling with your teenager’s behavior (stress and anxiety) and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen through emotional growth. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Contributor: Elizabeth Hines is a writer and editor at Assignment helpand Academized.