Student Article
How Social Jetlag Is Depriving Teens of Vital Sleep
Adolescence (noun): The period of life when a child develops into an adult.
Social jetlag (noun): Feeling tired because of changes in sleep schedule.
Obesity (noun): A condition of being very overweight.
Consistent (adjective): Staying the same over time.
Have you ever wondered why you feel so tired in the morning even after a long night's sleep? As we grow older, the amount of sleep we need changes. Teenagers, who are between 14 and 17 years old, need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. This is similar to adults, who need 7 to 9 hours of sleep.
Why teens sleep differently
During adolescence, our sleep timing shifts. Teenagers tend to go to bed and wake up later. This change happens to teenagers all around the world and even to other mammals!
Early school = not enough sleep
Because school starts early, teenagers often have to wake up before they are ready. This means they don't get enough sleep during the week. On weekends, they can sleep in and try to catch up on the sleep they missed. This change in sleep schedule is called "social jetlag." Social jetlag can make teenagers feel tired and can lead to problems like obesity and depression.
How to feel more rested
To help manage social jetlag, it's okay to sleep a little longer on weekends. But it's best to wake up within two hours of your usual time during the week. This helps you recover from lost sleep and keeps your sleep schedule more consistent.
© Alice Gregory / Our Media
Adolescence (noun): The period of life when a child develops into an adult.
Social jetlag (noun): Feeling tired because of changes in sleep schedule.
Obesity (noun): A condition of being very overweight.
Consistent (adjective): Staying the same over time.