Why Teenagers Need Sleep

Do you often feel tired in your first class? Don't worry. You are not a bad student. Your body is changing. According to doctors, a teenager needs eight to ten hours of sleep every night. But many students in Taiwan sleep only six or seven hours, and some sleep less.

At your age, your body's inner clock changes. Your brain does not get ready for sleep until late at night, so you don't feel tired until eleven or twelve. But school still starts early in the morning, so your sleep time gets shorter and shorter.

Sleep is not just rest. When you sleep, your brain is very busy. It sorts the day's lessons and turns them into long-term memories. It also repairs your muscles and helps your body grow. So staying up late to study for a test is often a bad idea. You may remember less on the test, not more.

Not getting enough sleep can also put you in a bad mood. You may feel angry or sad for no reason, and it becomes hard to focus in class. Your body also gets weaker, so you catch colds more often.

Here are some tips for better sleep. First, put your phone away an hour before bed, because the blue light from a screen keeps your brain awake. Second, go to bed and get up at the same time every day, on Saturdays and Sundays too. Third, don't drink coffee or tea after lunch. Last, if you feel tired after school, take a short nap of about twenty minutes. Good sleep is not a waste of time. A healthy balance of study and rest is the smart way to learn. It is a gift to your future self.