Sleep is an important part of a growing teen's life, meaning that it's a very important thing in my life as well! There are four elements that improve in a child, or teen's, life when they get the right amount of sleep. Three of these elements were studied and proven by a study done at St. George, a private boarding and day school in Middletown, Rhode Island. The teens involved in this study, in ninth through twelve grade, started school later by thirty minutes. The kids were happier, had better concentration, their health improved, and their motivation increased.
The kids in St. George were happier after getting thirty+ minutes more of sleep. Kids were happier to go to classes, and many sleep-related depressions had decreased. By a survey, the students who claimed they were unhappy or depressed dropped from 66% to 45% (a 21% drop). Also, the students' concentration increased during the school day than before the school time change. They ate breakfast and got to their first classes on time. To add to this study, many other studies and personal experiences, have proven better concentration after a good night of sleep. Another element proven to increase through this study is that the students' health increased. There were less student visits to the health center at the private boarding school complaining about fatigue-related issues.
This study also proved another element, yet slightly more minor than the other three. The teens were also more motivated to get the sleep they needed and wanted. Since they had a later start time, the hypothesis for the later start time for these students would be to stay up later, but after the kids understood what it was like to get the sleep they needed, they were motivated to go to sleep on time and wake up later. Since these results were so great and it improved everyone's life, the school decided to keep the later start time and henceforth increased the students' life by improving their mood, concentration, health, and motivation.
The kids in St. George were happier after getting thirty+ minutes more of sleep. Kids were happier to go to classes, and many sleep-related depressions had decreased. By a survey, the students who claimed they were unhappy or depressed dropped from 66% to 45% (a 21% drop). Also, the students' concentration increased during the school day than before the school time change. They ate breakfast and got to their first classes on time. To add to this study, many other studies and personal experiences, have proven better concentration after a good night of sleep. Another element proven to increase through this study is that the students' health increased. There were less student visits to the health center at the private boarding school complaining about fatigue-related issues.
This study also proved another element, yet slightly more minor than the other three. The teens were also more motivated to get the sleep they needed and wanted. Since they had a later start time, the hypothesis for the later start time for these students would be to stay up later, but after the kids understood what it was like to get the sleep they needed, they were motivated to go to sleep on time and wake up later. Since these results were so great and it improved everyone's life, the school decided to keep the later start time and henceforth increased the students' life by improving their mood, concentration, health, and motivation.
Me being a teen, like them, understand what it's like to get sleep, getting enough or getting less than required. When I get enough sleep, I feel awake. I know that sounds obvious, but it's true. Also, when I'm not tired throughout the day, I realize that I'm in a way better mood to everyone throughout the day. I am a nicer and more fun person with enough, or more than enough, sleep. I can hang out with my friends and enjoy myself instead of trudging through the day, exhausted. Also, I concentrate better with the right amount of sleep. During school, I feel like I'm alert and ready to focus. Even on weekends, I process things better then when I don't get enough sleep. I can understand what people are talking about, listen, and learn. If I were to go to sleep earlier while waking up later, I can eat a healthy breakfast which helps me concentrate. I think that our school could definitely use a later start time for school. It would help kids get the sleep, energy, and, even nutrition they need to start out their day.
I got the study from http://www.naturalhealthstrategies.com/teens-happier.html
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