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Why losing sleep is bad for teenagers
Causes of sleep deprivation in college students
Lack of sleep in high school students
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Recommended: Why losing sleep is bad for teenagers
Sleep deprivation in teens and young adults has become an epidemic across America. A national poll showed that eighty-seven percent of high school students in America get far less sleep than the recommended eight to ten hours (Richter). Sleep deprivation may be caused by several factors, such as environmental disruptions, emotional distress and physical conditions. Environmental disruption is one of the many factors in sleep deprivation among teens and young adults. The light coming from cell phones and computers before bed are examples of environmental disruption in sleep. "Light influences our internal clock through specialized "light sensitive" cells in the retina of our eyes. These cells, which occupy the same space as the rods and cones …show more content…
As stated in “External Factors”, the light from phones and computers has a major influence on one's internal clock. The influence light has on a person’s internal clock interferes with one’s sleeping habits which can cause sleep patterns to be in disarray. Due to sleep patterns being obstructed, sleep deprivation can become a real issue. Television is another example of light influencing a person’s sleeping habits. As previously stated in “External Factors”, light from electronic devices such as cellphones, computers, and television can have unpredictable effects on one’s sleep patterns which could cause a person’s internal clock to reset, making it difficult to fall asleep. For example, if a student’s internal clock has been reset and the student’s sleeping pattern has been disrupted, the student may not fall asleep until a late hour which leaves the student sleep deprived when the student must be up at an early time. …show more content…
Emotionally, there are a variety of factors that can lead to sleep deprivation such as anxiety due to school work and important tests; school demands such as early start times, tedious workloads, and high expectations set by society. Depression, anxiety, and stress can be experienced by individuals of all ages, and often individuals who experience this often find it more difficult to fall asleep. This is likely because our bodies are naturally programmed to respond to stressful and potentially dangerous situations by waking up.(External Factors). Anxiety is one of the many factors that lead to sleep deprivation in teens and young adults. Anxiety can be caused by many things, many examples would include school work and big tests, which can cause a person to be in extreme distress as well as have difficulty sleeping. In addition to anxiety, school demands, early start times, important due dates, and high expectations are also large factors in causing sleep deprivation in teens and young adults. According to Ruthann Richter of Stanford Medicine, a 2010 study at a high school in Rhode Island showed that its students slept more and showed far more improvement and alertness by delaying its start time by only 30 minutes. Schools who start later in the day have more success with how the
The body’s internal clock, commonly known as circadian rhythm, does not sync with the DST’s clock. This disconnect between the body’s clock and the DST’s clock can engender feelings of “restlessness, sleep disruption, and shorter sleep duration” (O’Connor).
It is true that sleep deprivation is a widespread issue, generally resulting from early start times. It is also a serious one; according to a study by Harvard Medical School, sleep deprivation can lead to issues such as obesity, heart disease, difficulty learning, and can genuinely shorten a person’s lifespan. As Robbins explains, teenagers have a different internal sleep clock than other age groups. It is most healthy for students in high school to go to bed around 11 and wake up around 9. Since school often begins as early as 7, students are told they simply need to go to bed early, around 8 or 9 PM. This contention does not take into account the fact that humans are biologically not wired this way, and it's virtually impossible for most teens to fall asleep this early. It also doesn't take into account that with clubs, sports, church, volunteering, other extracurriculars and hours of homework, students often struggle to start their homework before their suggested “bedtime”. It is contended that students can control their own schedules so that they can get more sleep. However, pressure from parents and peers to get into a “good” college can cloud students’ perceptions of what is right for them, making them choose to overwork themselves in order to build impressive resumes. I myself can identify with this phenomenon. During the weekdays alone, I volunteer two nights a
Today we are here trying to figure out why is it that the color blue affects our sleep cycle. The electronic devices such as televisions, cell phones and tablets to name a few with screens in numerous sizes that are used every day may be the cause of many people’s sleep deprivation. There are various symptoms that can grow and disrupt our sleep as well as have long time serious effects on us for the future. Through-out the years there have been experimenters who have participated in this study to find out the cause for this action, in which we will analyze today. By the end of this study, we will have our result and understanding why we cannot sleep while this light is on. We can also come up with a way to turn this negative action and make it a positive one and also how it can better our lives. Blue light can affect sleep in any age range.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, biological sleep patterns change throughout the stages of adolescence. ¨Biological sleep patterns shift toward later times for both sleeping and waking during adolescence-meaning it is natural to not be able to fall asleep before 11:00pm.¨ (¨Teens and Sleep¨). Messing with these sleep cycles in the long run and lead to sleep disorders. Research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests teenagers 13-18 years old should regularly sleep 8-10 hours each night for a healthy sleep. The teens who do not get a good amount of sleep are more likely to suffer from mental conditions, smoking, illicit drugs, and alcohol use. ¨Not getting enough sleep is common among high school students and is associated with several health risks including being overweight, drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and using drugs, as well as poor academic performance.¨ (¨Schools Start Too Early¨). On an NBC news story, Hilton Head Island High School moved its start time and benefits were noticeable. Students had higher test score averages and grades improved throughout the school.A study done in 2008 published in the journal of clinical sleep, found car accident rates fell by 16.5% when students were more aware on the road, not having to wake up before 7 am.
Tomas Izquierdo is what one might call someone without circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are the daily sleep patterns of humans. Circadian rhythms tell people when they are most alert, when they feel tired, and when they should wake up. These circadian rhythms, while difficult to research, are important to many industries, as well as a multitude of sleep disorder patients. For several years, scientists and doctors have been seeking a greater understanding of these patterns through constant, difficult, and fast paced research. The applications of such knowledge would be quite beneficial in shift based industries as well as some special circumstances. As of yet, doctors have been able to determine a few important correlations between internal time cues and sleep, activities or events that give cues to the brain about what time it is or should be. However, the research is very difficult.
Though there are many facets to the subject of sleep, our team has decided to focus on the vital role sleep plays in people’s lives, specifically college students, as well as the numerous methods that can be used to make sleep more effective. Research has consistently proven the importance of a regular sleep schedule. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute promotes this idea, and offers several tips for getting enough sleep while leading a busy life.[1] For instance, it helps to keep the same sleep schedule on weeknights and weekdays. Also, avoiding heavy exercise and artificial bright lights within an hour of going to sleep ensures a more restful sleep. This is especially true for devices like computers and cellphones, the light of which interrupts melatonin production, thus disrupting sleep. Avoiding heavy meals, alcoholic beverages, nicotine, and caffeine within a couple hours of sleeping helps prime the body for a more restful sleep, as well. In fact, the effects of caffeine can last
Another reason that causes the negative relationship between sleep deprivation and academic performance is the impact of high-stress level that is caused by sleep deprivation. As mentioned earlier, sleep deprivation could decrease a student’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills. However, it can also make the students feel more stressful. According to the survey conducted in Ball State campus, there are 15 students that often do their homework before they go to bed. 10 students play video games, computer games, and mobile games before they go to sleep. 8 students use their electronic devices to do social activities. 5 students watch movies and television series and 2 students read books before they go to bed. This information proves
Studies have shown that instagram and snapchat have become two of the most popular apps today used by young people. When more energy is spent on social media right before sleeping it takes longer to fall asleep because your body and brain is still concentrating on what you were doing in the hour prior. Technology use is prominent right before heading to bed because there is more time to relax and stare at your cell phone. During the day the chances of using cellphones are slimmer due to the fact that the subject may be at work or school. Sleep deprivation can either be voluntary or involuntary. There is also partial sleep loss where an individual can be sleeping, but not getting the full rest that they need. Partial sleep deprivation could be caused by medical conditions, lifestyle, jet lag, shift work, overtime, and sleep disorders. Sleep problems are widespread and can lead to motor vehicle crashes or mistakes in the workplace. Sleep loss leads to a weaker immune system, unintentional sleeping, and lack of memory/learning capabilities, weight loss and negative cardiovascular
In order to function normally, “adequate sleep is a biological necessity” (Austin 34). College is a transition for many students, and without prioritizing many can become sleep deprived. There are various reasons that college students could become deprived of sleep. Reasons include loud roommates, sororities/fraternities, late night jobs, and procrastination. Additionally, a student could be struggling financially or academically, and this could be possible causes for keeping one up late at night. Little to no sleep could affect how young adults function leading to multiple effects. Depression can be a result of not getting enough rest, and the “longer this
Sleeping is a complex process that greatly affects an individual’s well-being. There exists within each person a natural body clock which allows one to operate at a 24 hour cycle. In relevance, the body clock iswhat instinctively determines the cycle of sleep and awake time of a person. This relates to sleep because the issues that affect one’s body clock has a connection ...
Sleep is a fundamental need for everyone who needs sleep. Sleep is as important as eating food and drinking fluids. But teenagers are the ones seen not getting enough sleep at night. It is proven that teenagers get the minimum hours of sleep than any other age group. Teenagers are seen getting about five hours or less of sleep each night. Lack of sleep can affect many thing in a negative way. Sleep deprivation can affect things such as abilities to learn, listen, pay attention, and drive. It can also affect someone's mental health and physical health.
Teens need about 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night to function best. Most teens do not get enough sleep. One study found that 85% students didn’t get enough sleep on school nights.
In this paragraph, I will elucidate on how sleep deprivation is associated with low academic performance, poor health, depression, mood disorders and drowsy driving in adolescents. I will substantiate my argument using statistics and studies, performed by researchers in my sources. I will also be defining cardinal terms such as circadian rhythms, sleep deprivation and neurocognitive functioning. Finally, I will present my thesis statement and introduce academic performance and health effects of sleep deprivation as the two
“The current explosion of digital technology not only is changing the way we live and communicate, but is rapidly and profoundly altering our brains (Carr). When someone stays up all night staring at their cell phone, it is changing their sleep schedule. Blue enriched light that is emitted from mobile devices can suppress the body’s release of melatonin at night (Hiscott). Melatonin is the key hormone that controls someone 's internal clock, and when not enough is released, a body is oblivious to when it is supposed to be asleep. Sleep is crucial for successful development in a young child’s
Now when people go to bed they stay awake to look at their social media applications on their phones while lying in bed. This can cause sleep deprivation because you are up later reading about other people’s day. The light from the phone also causes your brain to not shut off for the night as easily. It has been suggested that exposure to bright lights at the wrong time of the day can alter circadian rhythm sleep with insomnia and excessive sleepiness (Wolniczak, Cacerer-DelAguila, Palma-Ardiles, Arroyo, Solis-Visscher, Peredes-Yairi, Mego-Antonio, Pernabe-Ortiz 3). Many hours of sleep per week are lost due to social media, which in turn also decreases productivity at