Teens Should Start Later Essay

“Teens need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep per day,” says the National Sleep Foundation’s website, which describes the facts and consequences of sleep deprivation for teens. We have all heard the phrase, yet to most of us this advice seems unrealistic and impossible due to students various extracurricular activities and responsibilities which cause late bedtimes to be a common occurrence for teenagers. Recent research shows that as an adolescent, our biological sleep patterns make it difficult for teenagers to fall asleep before 11 PM. This proves that getting to bed earlier is not a simple solution. Going through the day feeling tired and moody is not beneficial to students nor to schools, teachers, or staff. Schools should recognize these issues and consider starting later in the morning.
Sleep is food for the brain; it is a vital part of the daily schedule and not getting enough sleep can decrease alertness, cause cognitive impairment, induce stress and unhealthy diets, and increase the chances of being in a car accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that each year drowsy driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities. High School is a time when teenagers need the most sleep, but a study from the National Sleep Foundation revealed …show more content…
Pediatrician Judith Owens, lead author of the policy statement, “School Start Times for Adolescents” stated that “adolescents who get enough sleep have a reduced risk of being overweight or suffering depression, are less likely to be involved in automobile accidents, and have better grades, higher standardized test scores and an overall better quality of life.” These are the goals for both the students and school districts, so making this change would benefit