Sleep deprivation is an unfortunate reality for students around the globe. As reflected by the typical Mountain Lakes schedule of studying, sports commitments, and other obligations, it is seldom possible for students to get enough sleep.
Though a few less hours of sleep may seem unimportant, a lack of sufficient rest can have highly detrimental effects on a student’s physical health, performance in school, and overall happiness. Why is sleep deprivation such a prevalent problem for modern students? What can we do to remedy this fixable epidemic?
How much sleep should teenagers get a night?
It is common knowledge that the average adult should get at least 7 hours of sleep a night in order to maintain sanity. However, due to their ever-developing brains and bodies, teenagers need to sleep approximately 9 hours a night. This presents a chronic dilemma, as the average student receives 7 ¼ hours of sleep. Unfortunately, in a community that’s heavily based on academic and athletic performance, these numbers are comparatively worse for students.
As students progress through their high school career, the amount of sleep they get becomes increasingly worse. No year comes even close to the recommended amount of 9 hours, and, though Mountain Lakes freshmen compare almost perfectly to the national average, upperclassmen get nearly 1 ½ less hours than the average U.S. student. Although it is clear that the typical MLHS student has too many things on their plate to get the proper amount of sleep, there are possible solutions to this prominent predicament.
How to Get Students to Sleep More
Unplug
Across countless scientific studies, use of electronics was proven to be a key reason behind sleep deprivation or insufficient rest in adolescents. In addition to being a major distraction throughout the day, bright screens can trick the brain into thinking that it’s daytime when it’s not, consequently interfering with one’s circadian rhythms and further delaying sleep. By eliminating the threat that screens serve towards a healthy night’s rest, students and adults alike can improve their chances of sleeping better and for longer.
Stress Management
In a world of high expectations and efficiency, maintaining calm and happy in the face of pressure seems like a near impossible feat. However, through coping mechanisms, students can work towards being less stressed and, therefore, more able-bodied for sleep. Taking a brief moment to talk through your problems, whether it be to a friend or to yourself, can allow yourself to see possible solutions to your stress. Furthermore, methods revolving around time management enables students to work smarter and finish sooner.
Go to School Later
To expect for Mountain Lakes school times to shift from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. is overwhelmingly unrealistic. However, that does not mean that Mountain Lakes’ schedule has no room for improvement. Every morning, countless students with commitments to band and choir go to school 45 minutes early in order to take part in art programs that they adore. This method of scheduling not only discourages participation in art programs, but also wrongfully robs students from the sleep they so dearly need.
These schedule changes are not far from becoming a reality. Mr. Vallies, the choir teacher, has expressed interest in conducting the current morning choir during one of his free periods. Though the band department, headed by Mr. Bernotas and Mr. Price, uses their school time to teach individual students how to improve their playing, they could very well condense more students into their lessons, therefore creating an opportunity for band students to play during normal school times.
The only problem that this schedule change would present would be for the students with packed schedules, who might not be able to perform during normal school times. Despite this pitfall, Mr. Vallies has expressed that he is willing to hold lessons before or after school for these busy students.
Sleep deprivation is a curable problem within the Mountain Lakes community. However, to truly see results, we must take action within our households and our Board of Education to better our students’ sleeping schedules, and therefore their lives.
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