Is this the key to the teenage brain? We are used to teenagers being made fun of for tired and drowsy. But new science shows that school may be to blame.
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Sleep more and start school later say experts
Is this the key to the teenage brain? We are used to teenagers being made fun of for tired and drowsy. But new science shows that school may be to blame.
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What's happening?
Not getting enough sleep can cause a whole host of physical and mental health problems. But new data show that a huge proportion of teenagers are not resting for long enough. Instead of blaming phones or teenage rebellionsWhen people rise up and fight those in power., experts are pointing the finger at schools.
Short sleep can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokesA medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off. They can cause lasting brain damage if not treated quickly., hormonal changes, decreased resistance to colds and viruses, and higher rates of depression and anxiety.
It is a scary thought. But our bodies and minds rely completely on our daily slumberSleep. to keep them going. If we do not sleep for long enough, we put that at risk.
Find out more
For a long time, people have blamed caffeine and phones for young people's nocturnalActive at night and asleep during the day. The term derives from the Latin "nocturnus", meaning "of the night". Its opposite is "diurnal". habits. But experts have now discovered that a hormoneChemicals carried in the bloodstream that alter the way your body's systems act. called melatonin, which helps you to sleep, is low in teens when it is high in adults, and high in adults when it is low in teens.
This means that teens and adults should have a different scheduleA plan of things to be done and the time when they will be done., because their bodies are telling them to sleep at different times. An early rise is difficult for teens, but easy for adults. A late night is easier for teens than for adults.
Does this mean that we should consider changing the school system? If teenagers are tired because of an early school start, maybe it is time to start our education later in the day.1
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Is this the key to the teenage brain?
Yes! It makes sense that teenagers work on a different body clock - now let's try to accommodateTo have enough space for. them!
No! If we started school later, teens would just stay up later on their phones and still be tired the next day.
Keywords
Rebellions - When people rise up and fight those in power.
Strokes - A medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off. They can cause lasting brain damage if not treated quickly.
Slumber - Sleep.
Nocturnal - Active at night and asleep during the day. The term derives from the Latin "nocturnus", meaning "of the night". Its opposite is "diurnal".
Hormone - Chemicals carried in the bloodstream that alter the way your body's systems act.
Schedule - A plan of things to be done and the time when they will be done.
Accommodate - To have enough space for.
Sleep more and start school later say experts
Glossary
Rebellions - When people rise up and fight those in power.
Strokes - A medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off. They can cause lasting brain damage if not treated quickly.
Slumber - Sleep.
Nocturnal - Active at night and asleep during the day. The term derives from the Latin "nocturnus", meaning "of the night". Its opposite is "diurnal".
Hormone - Chemicals carried in the bloodstream that alter the way your body's systems act.
Schedule - A plan of things to be done and the time when they will be done.
Accommodate - To have enough space for.