Teenagers are getting less and less sleep as time goes on, and the effects are becoming increasingly prevalent and damaging. So how much sleep are teens really getting, what factors are contributing to the lack thereof, and what exactly are the consequences? 

Numerous studies have shown that in order for teenagers to function optimally, they require a minimum of 8-9 hours of sleep per night. However, according to a recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health, only 8 percent of teens are receiving this amount, and 59 percent are considered to be suffering with chronic, severe sleep deprivation. 

Sasha Small ‘20 notes, “I average about 4 hours of sleep per night. Recently because of college applications, soccer, my job, where I often work until 11:40 on the weekends, and family obligations, it can be extremely difficult to allocate enough time to sleep.” To examine the root of this epidemic, one must consider the highly competitive and demanding nature of the college admissions process. 

Colleges nowadays are in search of a stellar academic record as well as a demonstrated “passion” or “expertise” in a particular subject, obtained through a rigorous schedule of extracurricular activities requiring a substantial amount of participation. Additionally, there are those of us who take on jobs or must fulfill time consuming familial and household obligations.  

Between school, extracurricular activities, and homework, nearly every minute of a modern teenager’s day is spoken for, leaving little time for leisure or enjoyable activities, and very little time for sleep. In order to budget more time for such things, something else of importance must be sacrificed, but most high achieving students simply aren’t willing to do so. 

Dixie Lissak ‘21 explains, “I think that getting at least seven hours of sleep for me is really necessary, as without enough sleep I have difficulty focusing at school, and I usually don’t perform very well at crew practice.” The symptoms of sleep deprivation are substantial, and most are too often overlooked as “typical teenage behavior”. Contrary to popular belief, things such as moodiness, irritability, drowsiness, and extremely poor or risky decision making are not exactly displays of normal behavior, and are often caused or largely exacerbated by a lack of sleep. Additionally, chronic sleep deprivation can trigger depression or anxiety disorders, especially in those who already possess a genetic predisposition, and having sleep deprived, inexperienced drivers on congested roadways every morning at rush hour is not exactly a very safe situation for anyone to be in. 

Small  continues to say, “When I don’t get enough sleep, I work far less efficiently, so my work takes longer, and I have to stay up later to finish it, and it just becomes this endless cycle.” Due to the severity and pervasiveness of the symptoms of sleep deprivation, a few sleepless nights can send teens spiraling into developing a chronic issue.  

While on some nights the premise of getting enough sleep is virtually out of the question, there are still small steps that teens can take to ensure they are getting the best and highest quality sleep possible. Limiting all distractions while completing homework can boost efficiency, and careful planning can help ensure that teens are using all their breaks and free periods wisely throughout the day. Additionally, streamlining your morning routine can help you sleep in and get a few precious extra minutes. Finally, regulating electronic usage and sugar intake before bed can help ensure that you can fall into the deepest sleep possible.

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that insufficient sleep poses a “serious risk to the physical and emotional health, academic success, and safety of our nation’s youth.” Sleep deprivation in teens is a serious issue, and only appears to be worsening with time. We must be aware of our own sleeping habits, the overall effect in has on our lives, and must do everything in our power to try to address this issue to the best of our abilities.