According to the U.S Medical Societies, it is recommended that teens sleep eight to 10 hours each night. However, in 2023, a survey showed that 77 percent of high schoolers reported sleeping less than the recommended amount.
What about RCHS student’s sleep schedules?
“I usually get around five hours or less of sleep each night,” said sophomore Melodie Son. “I know that I am not getting the recommended amount, but I’m pretty used to it because that’s usually how much I get.”
For most students, academic stress and piles of homework each night are big reasons why they may not be getting enough sleep. Teens especially need more sleep because they are in a time of very fast physical, intellectual and emotional growth.
An obvious solution to this problem would be adding short breaks in between classes. However, there are certain drawbacks which may stop that from happening. Supervisors for those breaks would be needed and naturally the school day would be longer with the added breaks. Fear not—there are multiple ways to manage homework and stress so it is possible for students to not be as tired and fix their sleep schedules.
According to freshman Bishr Kasmi, “I go to sleep around 9 P.M and wake up at 5:30 A.M. I don’t think it is enough for me personally and often wake up tired in the morning.”
In order for students to be less groggy in the morning, one way could be to put away phones, TVs, or tablets at least 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. This is because screens emit short-wavelength blue light. This light tricks your brain into thinking it is still daytime, blocking the release of melatonin, the natural hormone that makes you feel tired.
Another way is to have a regular bedtime routine that you stick to every night–having a warm bath, brushing your teeth, and reading or listening to calm music.
These are just a few of the many ways to make sure your brain is fully rested each night. A drastic change does not have to happen overnight. Swapping a 10-minute nightly scroll on social media for a book before bed is the first step for a high school student’s brain to recharge. For now, students like Melodie and Bishr will continue to try their best managing workloads, proving that small changes can lead to a healthier, more rested mind.
