Optimising teenagers' well-being

Optimising teenagers well-being through adjusted school start times

In the early hours of the morning, the alarm clock aggressively rings as teenagers are abruptly pulled from their dreams. This familiar scenario plays out in homes across the world, where parents make use of creative strategies to wake up their adolescent child from sleep. Yet, as we live this daily struggle, it begs the question: Are we truly strengthening the well-being of our teenagers, especially when we understand the transformative power of sleep? As a teenager and as a student, this internal conflict weighs heavily on my mind: how can we, armed with the knowledge we possess, continue to deprive our entire youth of the invaluable gift of sleep and all the cognitive and emotional enrichment it offers?

Sleep deprivation among teenagers has become an epidemic, with just one in ten getting the recommended 8 to 10 hours of nightly rest. Early school start times are a contributing factor. When schools begin around 7:30 am, adolescents are forced to rise hours before their natural circadian rhythm allows, resulting in a sleep deficit responsible for many problems we attribute to teenage distress. These adolescents are not lazy; they are sleep-deprived, a condition that impacts their cognitive functions, emotional well-being, and even physical health.

Puberty brings with it a shift in teenagers' biological clocks. Delayed melatonin release means that waking them at 6 am is the equivalence to waking an adult at 4 am. The consequences are alarming: impaired concentration, attention, and moodiness. More than that, they're at a higher risk for mental health issues, substance use, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Moreover, sleep-deprived teenagers perform poorly in school, increasing the achievement gap for the worse.

The solution is simple and supported by science: later school start times. Teens in districts with delayed starts get more sleep, perform better academically, and even exhibit improved mental and physical health. Their families and communities also benefit from reduced car crash rates and more harmonious interactions. The concerns about logistical challenges such as bus routes or extracurricular activities are legitimate, but they are not insurmountable obstacles.

Delaying start times till 8:30 am isn't just a matter of convenience; it's an investment in our children's future. We need to reevaluate our priorities and consider the well-being of our teenagers. Just as we treasure that extra hour of sleep during daylight saving time, let's recognize the tremendous power of sleep and the benefits it can bring to our youth.

I say to you today, my teens, so even though we face the early wakeups of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.

I have a dream that one day we could live in a world where our adolescents wake up in sync with their biology, ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

I have a dream that one day we live in a world where we prioritise the well-being of our youth effecting a change that will echo through the ages.

I have a dream that as students, parents, and teachers, we come together to call for change and implement sleep-friendly start times.

With the power to reshape our teenagers' trajectory, let’s advocate for delayed start times that are key to development and growth. Beyond mere convenience, this shift is an investment in their ability to dream, learn, and flourish. So as we adjust our clocks, let's also recalibrate our priorities, nurturing a generation that awakens naturally, ready to conquer each day with vitality.

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