Essay on Sleep Deprivation

Free Sleep Deprivation papers

Sexual Transmitted Diseases
Sexual transmitted diseases (STD) are one of the major causes of death in the United States, frequently in teenagers. Some of these sexual transmitted diseases do not have a cure and many others, if not treated properly, can lead to very serious complications as cancer. Quantities of the most common

Suicide Awareness
Suicide Awareness Suicide ranks as a leading cause of death but by knowing and understanding symptoms and causes suicide can be prevented. Suicide is an intentional attempt to kill oneself whether it is successful or unsuccessful. Suicide accounts for about one percent of all deaths in th

It’s seven thirty in the morning, the time that most American high schools begin class. Instead of being chipper and ready to learn, most teenagers, at this time of the morning, can barely remain awake. These puffy eyed pupils are by no means ready to learn. Sixty percent children under 18 reported being sleepy during the day, with another fifteen percent reporting that they had fallen asleep during the school day within the past year (National Sleep Foundation, Dozing). Though adolescents require a larger amount of sleep than younger children, they usually receive much less (Indiana University Center for Adolescent Studies). The amount of sleep a teenager receives affects him or her both physically and mentally. Sleep deprived teenagers are more likely to be irritable, be depressed, not perform up to their capabilities in school, and have a decreased ability to handle complex tasks (National Parent Information Network). Though teenage sleep deprivation is a big problem, some simple solutions such as rescheduling the school day to fit teenagers’ biological needs, setting consistent sleep schedules, and teaching children the importance of proper sleep habits can easily remedy this problem.

In order to avoid sleep deprivation, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is vital for teenagers. Compared to opposing age groups, teenagers are most easily affected by inconsistent sleep habits (National Sleep Foundation, Adapt). The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) reports that, “For the adolescent’s circadian clock to stay on track, it is essential that teens remain on schedule...(National Sleep Foundation, Adapt).” The NSF also recommends that teens only stay up one hour later on weekends than they would during the school week (National Sleep Foundation, Adapt). Additionally, sleeping in late on the weekends is of no benefit to teens, as extra sleep on the weekend does nothing to counteract the effects of sleep deprivation (National Parent Information Network).

Another way to combat teenage sleep deprivation is through providing better education on the matter. The information that most teenagers receive on the affects of sleep deprivation is minimal. For example, though a North Carolina state study showed that most sleep-related automobile accidents involve individuals under the age of...

1.Kaufman, Marc. “Workshop Takes Pulse of Sleepy Teens.” Washington Post (9/21/99) Page H7.

2.National Parent Information Network. “Teens, Sleep, and School.” Parent News Vol. 4 Number 8 (8/1998) http://npin.org/pnews/1998.

3.Indiana University Center for Adolescent Needs. “Sleep Needs.” http://education.indian.edu/cas/sleep.html.

4.National Sleep Foundation. “Teens Should Take New Steps Now-Adapt Their Sleep/Wake Schedules To School Bells.” (8/19/99) www.sleepfoundation.org/PressArchives/teens.html.

5. National Sleep Foundation. “Dozing Off in Class?” (3/24/99) www.sleepfoundation.org/PressArchives/teens.html.

6.National Sleep Foundation. “Fall-Asleep Crashes are Common Among Young People.” (7/23/1997) www.sleepfoundation.org/PressArchives/youngpeople.html.