Teenagers and sleep – what you need to know

If you have a teen, you might have noticed that their sleep patterns are much different to what they were when they were younger. Find out what you need to know about teenagers and sleep.

How much sleep do teenagers need?

Experts recommend that teenagers get between 8 – 10 hours each night, which is more than the recommended 7-9 hours for adults. Unfortunately, a recent study on the sleep patterns of Australian children and adolescents found that 25% of 12-15 year-olds and 50% of 16-17 year-olds don’t get the recommended minimum for healthy growth, learning and development.

Why do teenagers need sleep?

Teenagers require extra sleep because their bodies and minds are growing quickly. Puberty is a time of great growth and change that requires more energy. They are also learning academically at school, learning social skills, and undergoing all the emotional changes that adolescence brings.

How does teens’ sleep differ from adults?

It’s very common for teenagers to stay up later at night and get up later the next day. In fact, it’s quite common for parents to be dragging their teens out of bed in the morning! One reason for this is that they secrete melatonin — an important hormone required for sleep — later in the day than they did in earlier childhood. This in turn affects their circadian rhythm and their sleep/wake cycle. However, their lifestyle which includes studying, working, and socialising can also make it hard for them to carve out enough time for sleep.

What happens if teens don’t get enough sleep

Your teenager may not think that sleep is important. However, teens who don’t get enough sleep tend to:

• struggle at school
• have difficulty with memory, concentration and motivation
• feel tired and lethargic
• be at higher risk for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety
• be at higher risk for long-term health problems such as metabolic disease
• engage in poor decision making and risky behaviours
• have a higher risk of accidents and injuries.

Tips to help your teen sleep well

Sleep quality is usually a reflection of what happens during the day and in the lead up to bedtime. Tips to help your teen get a good night’s sleep include:

• budgeting 10 hours a night for sleep
• developing a relaxing bedtime routine
• getting some form of exercise during the day, but not too close to bedtime
• ensuring they are exposed to natural light during the day
• avoiding caffeine and energy drinks in the afternoon and evening
• avoiding smoking and alcohol
• turning off all electronic devices an hour before bedtime
• having a regular bedtime and wake-up time.

Get the right mattress

Teenagers do a lot of growing and developing so they need to have a mattress that can support them during this time, as the mattress they slept on as a child is often not up to the task. At BedGuard, we have a range of high-quality, supportive mattresses that can support your teen through their formative years of growth. Why not visit us in our showroom or browse online today.