Parentpedia

What Experts Say

How many times have you had to drag your teenager out of bed to get ready for school? And on weekends, does your teen often sleep until noon or later if left alone? Many parents would probably nod in agreement. Before you chalk all of this up to sheer laziness, know that there are biochemical causes that explain why teenagers don't pop out of bed, and there are strategies you can use to help your teen get enough sleep.

According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, changes that occur during puberty affect teenagers' internal clock (called circadian rhythms). These changes cause them to feel sleepy at 11 p.m. or later. Additionally, teenagers tend to prioritize other activities, such as socializing, playing video games, and studying over going to sleep at night, which can further disrupt the sleep cycle. This makes it difficult for them to awaken in the morning, especially for the early hours of school. In fact, some experts have suggested that teens would benefit from schools starting at 9 a.m. or later.

The bottom line is that most teenagers are not getting enough sleep. For some teens and parents, this can be inconvenient. For others, this can lead to more serious problems, including irritability, lack of concentration, or decreased academic performance.

If your teen is having serious problems related to lack of sleep, there are some strategies you can use to try to him help regulate his body clock.

• He should stay on the same sleep and wake routine even on weekends.
• He should also be exposed to bright light in the mornings to help him wake up -- this can be done through exposure to sunlight or an artificial light called a light box.
• Similarly, he needs decreased light or darkness at night to help him go to sleep (computer screens and televisions can be too bright for nighttime).

If these don't work, consider talking with a doctor.