Why Teenagers Need Sleep

1. A teenager’s body experiences amazing development. In what is commonly called a growth spurt, boys can grow taller by as much as nine centimeters a year and girls at a rate of eight centimeters a year. The production  of groth hormones peaks during sleep with some teenagers producing as much as 50 times more growth hormones at night than during the day.
2. The brain is developing just as well. A second wave of brain growth continues into the teen years and even into the 20s.  During this time, new brain cells and neural connections or “wires” which connect the right and left sides of the brain and are critical to intelligence, self-awareness, and performance, grow like branches on a tree.
3. During deep sleep, blood pressure and heart rate reach lower ranges, providing rest for the circulatory system and helping to ward off cardiovascular disease. 

The bedroom should be associated only with sleeping. TV watching, net surfing – even homework – should be done in another part of the house.  

To help your teen get sufficient amount of sleep every night:

1. Set a curfew on gimmicks and other stimulating activities such as texting, surfing, and TV watching.
2. Allow a settling time free from strenuous activities about one hour before bedtime.
3. Encourage a pre-bedtime ritual that could include a hot shower, a glass of warm milk, and light reading.
4. If he takes an afternoon nap, schedule this not to fall after three p.m.
5. Encourage avoidance of food and drinks containing caffeine.