Do you recall when your teenager was a little kid? Remember how he or she would jump out of bed in the wee hours of the morning and demand to watch cartoons? The rest of the family would still be getting their 40-winks, but your child couldn't wait to jump-start the day.
I suspect those memories now seem like a lifetime ago.
Today, your teenager has to be dragged out of bed and is barely awake during breakfast.
Your teen and most of his or her peers are suffering from Sleep Deprivation, a condition so common among teenagers that many say it is epidemic.
A Biology "Quick-Step" There is now unanimous agreement in science and medicine that teenagers have sleep-needs that are different from adults and young children.
This is a biological fact that becomes evident when our sons and daughters reach puberty and their sleep/wake cycle shifts.
The reality is teenagers simply do not get sleepy until much later in the evening...
often as late as 11:00 p.
m.
Most parents logically conclude that the sleep habits of their teens are mostly an act of rebellion, but this is not true.
Once they reach puberty, teenagers become victims of a natural shift in the rhythm of their Internal Body Clock.
Melatonin - The Sleep Hormone Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates our sleep/wake cycle.
Darkness causes the brain to produce more Melatonin, which signals the body to prepare for sleep.
Light decreases Melatonin production and signals the body to stay awake.
In adults and young children, Melatonin levels rise in the evening, remain high throughout the night, and then drop off in the early morning hours.
This is where teenagers have difficulty.
When they reach puberty, Melatonin is naturally produced much later at night, causing them to not feel sleepy until late.
Consequently, their bodies want to wake up later in the morning.
Sleep Deprived Teens Don't Function Well The biological changes that teenagers experience at puberty make it nearly impossible for them to go to sleep when their parents think they should.
When teens are not allowed to sleep as they "naturally would" in the morning, they often feel disoriented - like travelers with jet-lag.
In this condition, they will nod off in class.
Those who drive while drowsy put themselves and others at risk of accidents.
Good Sleep Hygiene Simply stated, Good Sleep Hygiene is a relaxing ongoing routine to help our teens unwind at night for better sleep.
Parents cannot magically Re-set the biological clock of their teen-children.
But they can help them modify their behavior so that they can be "lulled" into sleep earlier at night.
The routine sends a strong message to the teen's body that it is time to sleep.
Here are a few Good Sleep Hygiene tips: • Help your teen establish a routine that promotes relaxation before bedtime.
This can include: o A warm bath or shower o A light snack o A short period of reading • Keep your teen away from stimulating activities in the late evening such as video games and violent or frightening TV shows.
• Have your teen avoid caffeinated soda and chocolate.
• Establish a calm atmosphere in your home before bedtime.
• As evening approaches, start dimming the lights throughout your house.
Conclusion Your teenager is biologically programmed to get sleepy much later in the evening than anyone else in your house.
Consequently, he or she needs more sleep in the morning to function well throughout the day.
The tips offered above will help you guide their teen in adopting a bedtime routine that promotes adequate sleep.
Despite your teen's vigorous resistance, he or she will reap the great benefit of adequate sleep.
This will surely alleviate the struggle with his or her Biological Clock.