Teenagers are still growing and their bodies need between eight and nine hours of sleep per night. A lack of sleep can and will have a negative impact on health in the long term.

 

During sleep, bodily functions recover and the brain can develop. The nervous system relaxes, the neurones are repaired and the teenager's body releases growth hormones. Sleep is important for physical and mental development and ultimately for survival, because a person cannot live without sleep.
Without sufficient sleep, the immune system is weakened and young people become more susceptible to illness. The body's growth is inhibited and symptoms such as irritability, nervousness and poor concentration become noticeable.

A lack of sleep in teenagers can have various causes. Teenagers often don't get enough sleep because they already feel grown up and want to go to bed late like adults. Their internal clock gives them the feeling that they are not tired. At weekends in particular, they often go to bed in the early hours of the morning and sleep in until midday.
However, this interrupts their sleep-wake cycle and their sleep is not as effective. It is even worse when teenagers watch TV or sit at the computer until late in the evening and have to get up early in the morning to go to school. This permanent lack of sleep can lead to serious health and psychological problems.
If there are too many electronic devices in the immediate vicinity of your bed, the electrosmog, the radiation emitted by these devices even when switched off, will prevent you from having a restful sleep.
Other reasons can be stress at school, social problems, nervousness, sleep apnoea syndrome, nightmares or narcolepsy.

The longer the sleep rhythm is disturbed, the worse the effects become. It is therefore important to find a solution. The first step is to talk to the young person about the consequences insufficient sleep can have on them. Many teenagers care less about health effects, so appearance should be addressed to motivate them. They do not grow properly and the lack of sleep shows effects on the face (dark circles under the eyes). Acne and pimples also heal better with better sleep.
Once you have explained to your teenager how important sleep is, a regular sleep rhythm should be established. They should go to bed at around the same time every night. Staring at television or computer screens should be avoided for at least half an hour before going to bed.

Caffeine consumption should be limited, especially from the afternoon onwards. Daily physical exercise of at least 20 minutes has a positive effect on restful sleep, preferably about two hours before bedtime.
Electronic devices should be at least one metre away from the bed. The bedroom should be kept at a comfortable temperature of between 18 and 20 degrees.
A chaotic environment can contribute to poorer sleep quality. Unfortunately for the teenager, their room should still be tidied up before they go to bed.

If the sleep problem persists despite all efforts, a doctor should be consulted, as there may be underlying psychological reasons or a physical illness.