It is very important to have a regular time to go to
sleep each night as well as making sure you get
sufficient sleep. Far too many adults go to sleep too
late at nights depriving themselves of the much-need
rest. Far too many teenagers are sleep deprived. They
go to sleep at any hour cutting them short of the
minimum of 9.2 hours needed each night for healthy
performance during the day.
Research tells us that ideally, teenagers do best with
ten to twelve hours of sleep each night but can still
perform at a good level with a minimum of 9.2 hours of
sleep. Unfortunately, many teenagers only get five to
seven hours sleep each night, if that much. Getting
sufficient sleep each night during the early years is
important for physical, emotional and mental
development. “During sleep, your body is working to
support healthy brain function and maintain your
physical health.”
In the June 2018 article entitled “10 Reasons Why Good
Sleep Is Important,” the author,
Joe Leech, gives reasons we should have a good sleep
each night. Here are his ten reasons:
-
“Poor Sleep Can Make You Fat.” Poor sleep is
strongly linked to weight gain. People with short
sleep duration tend to weigh significantly more than
those who get adequate sleep. In fact, short sleep
duration is one of the strongest risk factors for
obesity.”
-
“Good Sleepers Tend to Eat Fewer Calories”
Joe Leech states that Studies show that
sleep-deprived individuals have a bigger appetite
and tend to eat more calories. Sleep deprivation
disrupts the daily fluctuations in appetite hormones
and is believed to cause poor appetite regulation.
-
“Good Sleep Can Improve Concentration and
Productivity.” I have found this to be true.
The author stresses that improves “cognition,
concentration, productivity and performance.”
-
“Good Sleep Can Maximize Athletic Performance”
A good athlete knows the importance of a good
night’s rest. It increases strength and endurance
and facilitates repair of muscles and tissues.
-
“Poor Sleepers Have a Greater Risk of Heart
Disease and Stroke.” Those who regularly sleep
less than seven to eight hours of sleep each night
have a greater risk of heart disease and stroke.
-
“Sleep Affects Glucose Metabolism and Type 2
Diabetes Risk” Research shows that “Those
sleeping less than six hours per night have
repeatedly been shown to be at an increased risk of
type 2 diabetes.”
-
Poor Sleep Is Linked to Depression.” It is
not surprising to discover that mental health
issues, such as depression, are strongly linked to
poor sleep quality and sleeping disorders.
-
“Sleep Improves Your Immune Function.”
Joe
Leech write: “ Research indicates that that those
who slept less than seven hours were almost three
times more likely to develop a cold than those who
slept eight hours or more.
-
“Poor Sleep Is Linked to Increased Inflammation.”
Here’s what the author states: “Sleep loss is known
to activate undesirable markers of inflammation and
cell damage. Poor sleep has been strongly linked to
long-term inflammation of the digestive tract, in
disorders known as inflammatory bowel diseases”
-
“Sleep Affects Emotions and Social Interactions.”
Sleep loss reduces your ability to interact
socially. One study found that people who had not
slept had a reduced ability to recognize expressions
of anger and happiness
I thought it was imperative to share these ten points
because they are so real and startling. I am convinced
that sleepless is the reason for many fatal accidents on
the streets and poor social interaction. Parents, you
can set the pace for your children becoming healthy
adults by making sure he or she gets sufficient sleep
each night. If your child is under five years old, she
would need between thirteen to fifteen hours of sleep
each day. This is why there is nap time during the
day. If your child is a teenager, make sure he or she
gets at least 9.2 two hours (ideally 10 to 12 hours) of
sleep each night. They will do better in school and
have fewer social problems.
SEE PART
TWO
Barrington H. Brennen, MA, NCP, BCCP, a marriage and
family therapist. Send your questions or comments
to questions@soencouragement.org
or write to P.O. Box CB-11045, Nassau, The Bahamas, or visit
www.soencouragement.org or call 242-327-1980
