Teen Sleep Quiz

Your body rests during sleep, but your brain does not. An active brain during sleep prepares you for alertness and peak functioning the next day.

Studies of people who were awake for 20 hours showed a decline in both performance and response rates on the road similar to those who have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) equivalent to being legally drunk (0.08%). Drowsy drivers put themselves and others in harm’s way.

You can “get by” on less sleep, but you cannot train your body to need less sleep. Sleep is a biological need that is genetically determined. While most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep, teens need 8 ½ -9 ½ hours to function at their best, with the use of caffeine or other stimulants.

Although you can make up for some sleep during the weekend, it can be difficult to “pay back” when the sleep debt becomes too large. Making up for sleep loss on weekends by sleeping in later can alter your weekly sleep schedule since sleeping in late on Sunday morning means that you may not be sleep until later on Sunday night. Then, you will have to get up early again to get to school on time on Monday morning.

While sleep is crucial for teenagers, the actual amount needed is slightly less than stated. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that teenagers aged 14-17 years old get 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Adequate sleep supports physical growth, cognitive function, and emotional regulation during this critical developmental period. Factors like school schedules, social activities, and technology use can often interfere with teens getting the sleep they need.

Sleep is an active and restorative process that requires time in order for you to experience the deeper stages of sleep, when important hormones are released and other essential biological processes occur. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body builds up a sleep debt.

Snoring may be harmless for many people, but it may also indicate the presence of a life-threatening sleep and breathing disorder called sleep apnea. In some cases, it may be due to problems with tonsils or the physical structure around the mouth, throat and neck. If snoring occurs on a regular basis and it is loud, it is important to talk to your doctor.

Most people do not know when they are sleepy. Researchers have asked thousands of people over the years if they are sleepy, only to be told no—just before the individual fell asleep. If you are sleepy enough you can fall asleep anywhere—even while driving.

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. People with 1 narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, 2 often accompanied by sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks. They may also experience other symptoms, such as cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle control), sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.

While hormonal shifts during puberty can affect sleep patterns, teenagers actually need more sleep than adults, typically around 8-10 hours per night. This is crucial for their physical development, cognitive function, and emotional well-being.

Studies have shown that lack of sleep can significantly impair cognitive function, including judgment, reaction time, and decision-making abilities. These impairments can be comparable to the effects of alcohol intoxication, highlighting the importance of adequate sleep for safety and optimal cognitive performance.

Boredom, heavy meals and long drive do not cause sleepiness; they only unmask existing sleep deprivation that can accumulate over time. Also, the biological clock in your brain makes you sleepier at night and in the mid-afternoon.