Back to Bed Sleepy Head - Teenage Sleeping Habits

Back to Bed Sleepy Head

Myth Conceptions by Dr Karl S. Kruszelnicki - Age Good Weekend, February 10, 2007

You may think that the infinite ability of teenagers to sleep in on weekends is all down to attitude, but this altered sleep pattern isn't about being bone-lazy or antisocial, it's about biology.

New born babies sleep, in a series of naps, for about 16-18 hours a day. By age five, this is down to about 11 hours, and continues to drop with age - until puberty starts. Puberty lasts to about 17 years and five months in boys, and 16 years in girls, as measured by the end of bone growth. But adolescence continues for a few more years.

During adolescence, the natural circadian rhythm is mightily interfered with and there is a delay in the onset of sleep, probably doe to the later release of melatonin. So a teenagers claiming to be not tired at 11pm is probably being truthful. Another biological change is that adolescents need more sleep - between 9 and 10 hours every night. Indeed, one marker of the end of adolescence is the switch to the shorter and earlier adult sleep hours. This happens, on average, at 19 years and 5 months in women, and 20 years and 9 months in men.

The teenage years are very messy, in terms of sleep. An early bedtime is, in most cases, simply fighting biology. Adolescents need 9 to 10 hours of sleep, but often start school early. Typically and adolescent, going from holidays to regular school, will sleep for 2 hours fewer on weeknights, and try to make it up on weekends. So your average high-school student sleepwalks through their school day, in a semi permanent state of sleep deprivation.

Various studies have shown that this sleep deprivation is linked to rebellious behaviour, depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, obesity, anxiety disorders and poor school marks. Indeed, being tired while taking an IQ test can drop about 7 points off your score - and can do the same for regular exams. Also, about 20% of road deaths are caused by micro sleeps related to tiredness - and about half of all such fatigue-related road deaths happen to those aged 16-25.

Another study looked at so-called REM sleep, during which humans do most of their dreaming and which usually happens about 70 to 100 minutes after falling asleep. About half of the high-school students studied were so tired that, when give the opportunity to sleep at school in mid-morning, they dropped into REM sleep within a few minutes.

So what can help? Well, adolescents should avoid caffeinated drinks and not have a computer or TV in their bedroom.

Dr Martin Ralph, a psychologist at the University of Toronto, recommends starting university and high-school classes at 11am.

And next time you want to chide your teenager with a well-worn cliche, in the interests of scientific credibility don't make it, " Early to bed and early to rise ..."

Featured Products

Naturelle Latex Pillow - Gently Contoured Luxurious contoured natural latex pillow in 3 sizes

• Sumptuously soft & wonderfully supportive
• Pure latex won't sag or lose its shape.
• Therapeutically designed and gently contoured

From : $79.00

CompleteSleeprrr Original - Memory Foam Pillow Adjustable memory foam neck pillow

• Australia's best & most loved pillow!
• Totally adjustable - One size suits all
• Quality supersoft memory foam neck pillow

$89.00

CompleteSleeprrr Plus - Memory Foam Pillow Adjustable memory foam neck pillow

• For those of average to above average build
• Supportive & comfortable memory foam
• Quality memory foam neck pillow

$89.00

Tranquillow Pillow - Contoured Support Pillow Carved from one piece of quality foam

• One side is slightly higher than the other
• Comes in a variety of sizes and densities
• Comes in a removable cotton pillowcase

From : $39.00

Side Snuggler Pillow - Side Sleeping Support Comfort and support in the side sleeping position

• Supports mother-to-be in the 2nd & 3rd trimes
• Supports the recommended side sleeping positi
• Pressure-diffusing memory foam under the neck

$139.00

Sleep-Away Memoryfoam Travel Pillow Comfortable & versatile travel pillow

• Great for camping, bus & train trips
• Don't use unhygienic hotel pillows any more
• Comes in Traditional or Memory foam

From : $49.50

Lucky 7 Body Pillow - Pregnancy Support Pillow L Shaped body pillow for relaxing & sleeping

• Use during pregnancy for comfort & support
• For side sleepers & back pain sufferers
• Use on the bed, couch, or floor

$89.00

CuddleUp Body Pillow - Pregnancy Support Pillow Super huggable - wrap around body pillow

• Gently cradles and supports the body
• The perfect pregnancy support pillow
• Use between knees to relieve back pain

$99.00

Tummy Snuggler - Maternity Support Cushion Supports the tummy and back throughout the pregnancy

• Stretch cotton cover adjusts to body shape
• The perfect maternity support pillow
• Supportive memory foam structure

$89.00

Banana Pillow - U Shaped Body Pillow V shaped banana pregnancy support body pillow

• Two long arms to give you support in bed
• Perfect for reading or watching TV
• Also use between legs in bed

From : $49.00

Contoured Bed Wedge - Angled Sleeping Wedge Gently scalloped & angled Bed Wedge pillow

• Perfect wedge for sleeping, resting, or readi
• Elevates and supports the upper body
• Removable inserts allows angle change

From : $199.00

Leg Relaxer - Contoured Leg Wedge Support Leg wedge relief for aching legs and feet

• Leg wedge helps with varicose veins or swolle
• Wedge reduces lower back pain and strain
• Aids circulation and vascular drainage

From : $119.00

Memory Foam Mattress Topper - Pressure Diffusing Experience the relaxation of dreams

• Memory Foam gently moulds to your body shape
• Feel the comfort of viscoelastic memory foam
• Overlay in Single, Double, Queen, King sizes

From : $199.00

Naturelle Latex Mattress Topper Latex overlay provides pure comfort & support

• Topper adjusts & moulds to for even support
• Natural Latex is anti-bacterial & anti-microb
• Overlay in Single, Double, Queen, King sizes

From : $255.00

Naturelle Eucalytus Fibre Mattress Protector 100% Natural waterproof mattress protector

• Both hypoallergenic and anti microbial
• Protect your mattress from all liquid stains
• Protects from bed bugs

From : $55.00

Diffuser Cushion - Memory Foam Cushion Premium density memory foam pressure relief cushion

• Australian made memory foam seat cushion
• comfortable for longer periods of sitting
• Ideal for as a wheelchair cushion

From : $89.00

Posture Wedge - Angled Seat Cushion Angled wedge cushion for seating

• 9° angle encourages correct pelvic tilt
• Reduces pressure on lumbar discs
• Wedge promotes correct lumbar support

From : $59.00

Back Huggar - Mid Size Back Support Adjustable lower back support with centre spine.

• Quality lumbar back support
• Elasticised strap holds it in place
• Ideal for car, office or home.

From : $59.00

Spine Saver Lumbar Roll Lumbar roll back support for lower back pain

• Fills hollow in the back to support lumbar
• Choice of Traditional or Memory foam
• Loops at each end for fixing to chairs

From : $29.50

Lupin Heat Bag - Rectangle Shape (33cm x 13cm) Suitable for all parts of the body. Use it anywhere.

• Quick microwave for easy heating.
• Versatile rectangle heat pack
• Premium grade lupin heat pack

$14.95

Lupin Heat Bag - Neck & Shoulder (45cm w x 45cm l) Soothes & warms the neck and shoulders

• Premium grade lupin heat bag
• Superior quality to standard wheat bags
• Handmade in Australia from Australian lupins

$29.95

Lupin Heat Bag - Body Pillow Large (55cm x 23cm) Lupin heat bag - Suitable for all parts of the body

• Put in the freezer and use as a cold pack
• Heat bag is suitable for all parts of body
• Longer lasting heat than wheat bags

$35.00

Cooliow - Cooling Pillow Pad Cooling Pillow Pad cools your pillow & body

• Never too cold or too warm
• Use it on your head, legs and back
• Cools tired feet, sports injurys, or sunburn

$39.95