Why Do Teenagers Sleep So Much????
By Angelgirl16
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
United States
July 27, 2009 2:22pm CST
Hi,
When my son was a teenager, it seemed that he needed to sleep, alot. Is there a physiological, psychological, medical or another reason for his needed to sleep, such as laziness? Do you have a teenager who sleeps all the time? How do you handle the situation? Do you wake or let sleep?
3 people like this
7 responses
@cellophane (636)
• New Zealand
28 Jul 09
I don't know, I didn't really sleep that much in high school... getting 8 hours of sleep on a school night was a rarity. Of course, in the holidays and often on weekends I'd sleep in for 8-9 hours .
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Hi,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I am sure there are a few teenages that have a better experience with this situation. It sounds as if you were one of the lucky ones.
@Ritchelle (3790)
• Philippines
28 Jul 09
you maybe right in the laziness reason but it can also be physiological: teenagers are not only active in trying to spread their wings, their physicality itself is developing so that's double tasking for one body wouldn't you say ?
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Hi,
I think it could be partly laziness, but over all I think it is raging hormones that reeks hopless havoc on their bodies. I sure sometimes they play for sympathy:-)
1 person likes this
@ucue2008 (924)
• Malaysia
28 Jul 09
Me too, when I was a teenager, I slept almost the time, except at night I will feel wake up. I want to know why too. But I'm not lazy. I heard from my auntie too her daughter also like to sleep a lot. As for me, I'm staying at boarding school and people say because of the food that makes me easily feel sleepy. But the habit eventually get rid off since i enter into college and my sleeping habit has become from a lot to a lot less. Well that's for me.
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
2 Aug 09
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I appreciate it. I think hormones are to blame for this condition the body needs to grow properly at your age. I finally stopped trying to make my son stay awake to do his chores, which he sometimes did after his nap. We had a better relationship after I understood what as happening and change the way I handle the situation.
@okkidokitokki (1736)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Think about what the teenage body is going through. There are growth sputs and hormones and the brain is doing some serious developing. School is harder, and as an adult in my last semester of college I can tell you that learning and studying is extreamly hard work, they may sit in class all day but learning is exhausting.
Honestly the best thing is to give them a few chores and insist that they be done along with homework, set a lights out time of about midnight and insist that they get up in time for school and then let them sleep on Saturdays.
Who really needs to have an activity for every day of the week aside from school? Let them pick one and let them be. As long as they know how to behave, let them sleep.
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. Your comment makes so much sense. Teenagers' bodies are constantly changing and has to adapt to the stages of increased hormones and growth sputs. Thank you again for your interesting response.
@laurahen (596)
• Canada
27 Jul 09
Teenagers are going through a period in their lives where there are many changes going on. Because of this they tend to be more tired then children or adults. They need more sleep and start to live on a different type of schedule where they can stay up more late at night. I think it's best just to let the teenager sleep when they want to. They know when they need to sleep and it's best to listen to your body.
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Hi,
Thanks for your response to my post, I really appreciate your time. Your are right, of course, teenagers have alot going on in their lives, externally and internally. Very nice response, thanks again.
@shravandone (555)
• India
27 Jul 09
being a teenager i ve noticed that i sleep a lot des days.....i came across an article saying that its not to be taken for surprise......infact if ur son is more sleepy hes absolutely normal....so nothin to worry
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Hi,
Thank you for your honest and personal response. I do believe that teenagers don't want to sleep as much as they do, they just have to, because of all the internal changes.
@busybeekorner (18)
• United States
27 Jul 09
While they do require more sleep, it has been proven through studies, that teens are, for some reason, on a different sleeping pattern than the rest of us. They do best when they go to bed later and wake up later than the general public. Which is where the statement about high schoolers starting later in the morning comes from.
While kids are on summer break, I pretty much let them have their own schedule as long as they are aware of things that are scheduled and set their alarms to get up if needed.
A couple of weeks before school starts, you should start getting your teen back into a routine sleeping pattern. Also, it is easier for them to fall asleep if they are not allowed to talk on the phone, text, listen to the radio, or other noisy, active things about 30 minutes before lights out. I find the best way to handle this is to either pick a show that's on tv at the right time, or prerecord a favorite show, and go relax with your teen for those 30 minutes before bed.
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Hi,
Thank you so much for commenting, I really appreciate your time. I have to agree with you about the summer sleep-in. There is not reason why they should have to get up, if there is nothing special going on. I didn't know why the hig schoolers started later, so I learned something here. I really enjoyed reading your response.