Understanding Teen Sleep Deprivation

A recent study showed that 13% of U.S. high school students were chronically sleep-deprived.

To avoid adolescent sleep deprivation, teen sleep requires 8 - 9 1/2 hrs per day. Teens trying to catch up on sleep or sleeping in during the weekends isn't the solution to teen sleep problems, because it only confuses your teens internal biological clock even more.

What can I do to help my teen sleep?

# Establish a bedtime routine. Try to encourage your teen to take a warm bath or shower, create activities that are enjoyable and relaxing.

# Set a time limit - a half-hour before bed discourage your adolescent from:

* Loud music

* Video games

* Phone calls

* Internet use

* TV

Minimize other noises that might disrupt your teen's sleep, such as TV in other rooms.

Teen sleep problems are also related to:

* Jolts of caffeine

* Daytime naps longer than 30 minutes

* Bright lights

Dim or turn off the lights at bedtime. This tells your teens biological clock that it's time to sleep.

Don't get discourage if you can't get your teen to follow a bedtime schedule, go with the flow and let your teen fall asleep at his or her natural bedtime for a few nights — no matter how late it may be — but insist on a fixed wake-up time. Then move the bedtime back by 10 to 15 minutes each night until you reach a reasonable bedtime. Their internal clocks will soon become adapted to a sleep schedule.

Sleeping pills generally aren't recommended for teen sleep deprivation. In some cases, teen sleep problems can occur from cold and allergy medications, ADD/ADHD medications, depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications.

However, herbal sleep aids such as Serenite Jr. for Child and Teen Sleep Disorders and Insomnia can give your teen a good night's sleep.

If you feel that your teen is depressed or has a sleep disorder causing sleep deprivation, than proper treatment from your teens physician may be the key to a good night's sleep.

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