Are teen sleep schedules due to their age or their lifestyle?
sleep schedule is due primarily to age
0%
[ 0 ]
sleep schedule is due primarily to lifestyle
100%
[ 1 ]
Total Votes : 1
Author
Message
conradman88
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 2
Crazy Sleep Schedule Teens Due to Their Age Or Lifestyle? Posted: 12-21-07 03:05am
My boys are both in high school. They swim
and their day begins at 5am when they get
up and go to the pool. What strikes me as
crazy about both of them is that they stay
up every night to at least 11 or 12pm.
They both take short naps when they get
home in the afternoon, but I still don't
know how they can keep up with their busy
lives on so little sleep.
So I was wondering if any teens or parents
of teens could relate to this and if
anyone had an explanation. I have heard
stuff about their brains changing, their
internal clocks set later, but I have my
doubts about that. They are both on the
computer a lot, myspacing with friends I
suppose. Could their lifestyles full of
media be the main reason.
Whatever the reason, it can't be healthy
to be so busy and get so little sleep. Any
suggestions on keeping my boys better
rested?
|
ladylee70
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 1912 Location: Boise, Idaho,
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Posted: 12-22-07 00:38am
Research shows that kids and teens need
even more than 8 hours of sleep a night. I
really need to find that research. I
recently read that you shouldn't even be
on the computer or watch television a few
hours before bed (here I am).
You may not like my suggestions but I
would say no computer or television after
a certain time - probably 7:00 pm. They
should be in bed by 9:00 pm to get the
very minimum amount of required sleep.
Sometimes people who don't get enough
sleep may seem even more active than most
people due to their lack of sleep. I can
get really technical as to why that is but
I won't. This is one of the reasons why
some kids who are dx as ADHD or are noted
as having attention problems actually may
have undx sleep disorders instead or they
may just lack sleep.
I haven't heard about teens internal alarm
clocks setting to later but that maybe
true. I remember being a teen and being
able to sleep until noon and not being
tired until late at night. The difference
was I still got my required hours of
sleep. Your boys get up so early and don't
go to bed until really late. The naps that
they get is not enough for them to reach
their need sleep levels.
How old are your sons?
Do they drive? If they drive and are
getting that little of sleep, PLEASE do
something about it. Other people are put
in danger. Even if they get good grades
and seem really together, they are not
practicing good sleep-hygiene and it WILL
catch up to them eventually.
|
JacobRyan
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Ohio,
Posted: 12-22-07 01:32am
It is just the way their day is set up.
When you are on a certain schedule you
just get used to it. During my junior year
I was in bed by 10:00-10:30 every night,
and up by 6. Now, precisely one year
later, I am awake until about 2:00-4:00,
and wake up at 6:30. I don't remember
feeling any more or less tired a year ago,
so I just keep up with the schedule. It is
probably extremely unhealthy, but hey, I
make it through the day.
|
samba88
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Southern, United States
Posted: 12-22-07 02:52am
I think sleep habbits depend on age and
lifestyle together, no matter what is
going on schedule wise i was and still am
up til 2-4am no matter how i spend my day
or when i wake up, i like to sleep in and
stay up late though.
|
Cicatriz
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 18 Location: New Albany, Oh America
Dude Posted: 02-15-08 05:14am
Im 18 I can relate i go to bed at 5 AM and
wake up at 2 PM because i Party, 17-18 is
probably where the highest rate of
insomniacs are with the due to our
lifestyle. I am quitting all the drugs and
alcohol though, so maybe i can get some
good sleep soon
|
leewhiz
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 58 Location: Mother Earth, The Blue Planet
Posted: 02-15-08 05:28am
Circadian rhythm is also about connecting
to the natural rhythm of the seasons and
the sun's daily route across the sky. I'm
of the opinion that teens are really
disconnected from this rhythm in that they
are over stimulated and used to a modern
life. Get them out into nature, working
when it's light out ... I think that they
would fall asleep when it's dark out. Or
maybe make bonfires to stay awake (it
could be a person's character or
preference to stay up late, too). But
there's an experiment for you!
|
Cicatriz
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 18 Location: New Albany, Oh America
Posted: 02-15-08 05:34am
leewhiz
wrote:
Circadian rhythm is also
about connecting to the natural rhythm of
the seasons and the sun's daily route
across the sky. I'm of the opinion that
teens are really disconnected from this
rhythm in that they are over stimulated
and used to a modern life. Get them out
into nature, working when it's light out
... I think that they would fall asleep
when it's dark out. Or maybe make
bonfires to stay awake (it could be a
person's character or preference to stay
up late, too). But there's an experiment
for you!
Thats a really good idea, I mean hell im
up and its 5 30 AM now, i've been needing
to get in the rhythm of going to bed at
the appropriate time like around 10 pm.
Also i need to get up earlier i get up
around like 11 and that isn't good at all,
i'm gonna shoot for 9 now thanks for the
Circadian rhythm thing.
|
yogahoneybunny
Supporter
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 886 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 5
Thanked:0
Posted: 02-15-08 05:44am
There's also a vitamin supplement Vitamin
B12 (VB12) that might help normalize
circadian rhythms. And people that travel
take melatonin. Maybe look into those?
|
Cicatriz
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 18 Location: New Albany, Oh America
Posted: 02-15-08 05:53am
for sure ill look into thanks for the
advice guys not sleeping for a whole day
can be very unhealthy and can throw your
whole day and the day after off.