Root of all teen problems? Lack of sleep

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By overusing electronic devices before sleeping, teenagers prevent themselves from receiving vital sleep patterns for healthy brain function.

Recent Harvard studies reveal that watching TV before bedtime decreases a teenager’s total sleep time. These studies showed that for each hour of television watched each day, people lost seven minutes of sleep. In our fast-paced society, seven minutes per hour may appear insignificant. In regards to sleep, however, every minute counts.

For teenagers to function both in class and at home, teens require at least eight hours of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 50 percent of teenagers receive less than seven hours of sleep per night. Between homework, jobs, and social lives, the amount of sleep teens receive each night varies. One night, teens might sleep for nine hours, and the next night, teens may write a paper and receive only five hours of sleep. Situations like these remain separate from the issue at hand.

Underneath the homework and jobs lies the root of the problem: young adults obsession with TV and technology. After eight hours of endless schoolwork, students desire turn on the television, and check all their social media accounts. While relaxation after a hard day’s work remains important, teenagers need to manage relaxation time without technological disruptions. Their Instagram and Twitter feeds will reappear during the weekend. By obsessing over technology all night, students lose valuable sleep, a more important form of relaxation.

Instead of watching TV before bedtime, teenagers must implore new practices to help them sleep better. Researchers claim students must go technology free at least one hour before going to sleep. The amount of stimulation TV and other technology produces in the brain causes negative affects. As an alternative to TV before bedtime, teenagers should consider reading, writing, doodling, or a similar activity before sleeping. These types of activities help the brain relax, and therefore, allow teens a better night sleep.

Teenagers, especially students, need to turn off the TV, shut down their phones, and read a book before bed. By avoiding technology before bedtime, especially televisions, teenagers will fall asleep faster, gain more hours of sleep, and perform more productively during the day.