Rest Up: Kids Need Their Sleep

School days are busy days for kids and families. As they get older, school becomes  more demanding, activities stack up, social circles grow and their bodies begin to  change. While their schedules are full, their sleep often suffers.

School kids of all ages need around 9 to 11 hours of sleep a night, according to the  National Sleep Foundation (NSF). 

Teenagers, in particular, are at the greatest risk of not getting enough zzzzs. It’s as important as the air they breathe but only about 15 percent of teens get eight-and-a-half  hours of sleep on school nights, according to the NSF.

“Too little sleep can have a significant impact on attention and memory formation,” said Robert Kemp, CHI St. Alexius Health family medicine physician. “And that can  interfere with school performance. Sleep deprivation can also lead to depression  and can impair the body’s immune system.”

“Cumulatively, teenagers could end up eight hours sleep deprived by the end of the  school week,” said Menelik Mulu, CHI St. Alexius Health pediatrician. “The lack of adequate sleep time affects concentration, mood,  wakefulness, poor school performance and poor athletic performances. To perform their best, teens need more sleep than young children and adults.”

“The developing brain that’s undergoing a lot of hormonal shifts needs more time  to rest and regenerate,” he said. 

To ensure your children are getting enough sleep, Dr. Mulu said the best course  of action is to develop a routine and stick with it on the weekends. “This helps your  body get into a regular rhythm,” he said. “If it’s not possible to maintain a routine on  the weekends, take an afternoon nap.” His advice:

• Go to bed and awaken at the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Create a routine that signals your brain to recognize you’re getting ready to sleep.
• Engage in soothing activities like reading or listening to soft music – no iPads or Snapchat  allowed.

Getting enough sleep is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a healthy  student. Another challenge is making sure that sleep is restful.

“When you’re looking at blue lights right before bed, it decreases the amount of  melatonin, increases our arousal and turns our brain back on because it’s almost  like it’s mimicking daylight,” said Dr. Kemp. “Then, it’s harder to fall  asleep and when you do fall asleep, it’s less restful because you have less rapid eye  movement (REM) sleep.”

Any  type of screen can contribute to a restless night. Dr. Kemp’s recommendations for healthy rest include:

• Screens – Avoid 1-2 hours before bedtime
• Food – Avoid before bedtime
• Lights – Use yellow- or orange-toned bulbs for nightstands to mimic sunset hues

“The worst thing you can do is have a TV or computer in your child’s bedroom,” Dr. Kemp said. “Reading a book before bed is different because it’s not stimulating visual receptors that make the melatonin stop secreting.”

As parents and kids prepare for the start of the school year, we hope this advice will be an important part in your preparation tool kit. Good  luck kids and parents alike!