"We all know life can be rough when we don"t get enough sleep. This holds true from infancy into adulthood. Newer studies are examining what lack of sleep does to the teenager specifically, and surprise, surprise teens need more sleep! Generally, about 8 to 9 hours each night on average. As any teen or parent knows, this can be difficult to accomplish, particularly when football, band, swimming, dance, theater, girl scouts, and [insert any number of extracurricular activities] keeps your child from even getting home (let alone asleep in bed) before 10:00 p.m.!
The good news? Delaying school start times can help your teen get enough sleep! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later, giving teens a chance to catch up on some of that sleep.
The adolescent biological clock is different than yours, moms and dads! Getting the recommended amount of sleep reduces the risk of depression, obesity, and car accidents, and sets your child up for improved quality of life. So catch some more zzz"s, my friends!"
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