The Benefits of Sleep for Teens
When we sleep, our body and brain go through different stages. Our non-REM sleep starts in the light “N1” stage and progresses into the deep “N3” stage. This sleep reduces our brain’s responsiveness to the outside world, slowing down our thoughts and most body functions. We spend half of the night in the “N2” stage, which scientists believe is where you file away long-term memories.
The first stage of REM sleep starts around 90 minutes after we fall asleep. During REM sleep, our breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure increase, making it easier for us to dream. The body also paralyzes our arms and legs to prevent physical acting out of dreams. The length of each REM sleep cycle increases throughout the night, and numerous studies have linked REM sleep with memory consolidation.
In addition to enhancing memory, sleep is essential for emotional health. It helps the brain maintain a stable emotional state by restoring the activity in parts of the brain responsible for regulating emotion. The temporal lobe, or amygdala, becomes more active during sleep. This allows our brains to work well when we wake up. A lack of sleep impairs the body’s immune system. It also affects our growth.
The length of sleep depends on our circadian rhythm. The biological clock controls our body’s growth, reproduction, and aging. It operates on a daily time scale, and hormonal signals in the circadian clock control the timing of sleep. In addition, our body has different drives for sleep at different times of the day. By taking a warm bath before bed or a cool bedroom before bed, we can make sure we get the restful sleep we need.
Stage 1 and 2 of sleep are characterized by non-REM activity. This phase is characterized by slowing heartbeat and slower breathing rate. Eye movements also stop during this stage. Stage 3 is the deepest stage of sleep and occurs for longer periods in the first half of the night. The brain’s overall activity slows down during this phase, and it is difficult to wake from this stage.
Sleep is vital for a healthy mental and physical state. When teens prioritize rest and sleep, they feel alert, have more energy, make better decisions, and enjoy life more. Despite all these obstacles, there are several benefits to teens who prioritize sleep and make it a priority. These benefits include better decision-making, feeling happier, and a more positive mood.
A healthy diet and positive lifestyle habits can help improve the quality of sleep. Limiting caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and nicotine consumption before bed can also improve sleep. Also, try not to use the computer or television in the bedroom. Try doing something else until you feel tired. Fortunately, sleep disorders can be treated and improved. If you are suffering from insomnia or other sleep disorders, you should consult a sleep specialist.