Snoozin' or Losin'?

Consider your teenager’s day: Awake by 6 A.M., at school until 3 P.M., then off to soccer practice, followed by dinner and studying. By the time his or her head hits the pillow, it’s after 11 P.M.

A 2006 National Sleep Foundation (NSF) poll found that 28 percent of high school students fall asleep in class at least once a week. Kids who don’t sleep enough are more likely to feel depressed or earn lower grades. According to the NSF, most adolescents need about 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep a night. So, what can parents do to help?

1. Help your teen establish a regular sleep schedule. And make sure he or she sticks to it.
2. Remove the computer and TV from your teen’s room. These stimulants can hinder restful sleep.
3. Limit caffeine after noon. While you can’t always control what your child drinks at school, stress the importance of no caffeine after lunch, and monitor what she or he drinks at home. 
4. Be aware. The NSF poll found that 90 percent of parents thought their children were sleeping enough, when only 20 percent were. Knowing what’s happening means you can do something about it. 

Source: Kettering Medical Center Network’s Wellness for Life, Winter 2007