Sleep and Teen Stress

 W26-Capstone Consolidate-ULTRA

Blog Post #7

Sleep and Teen Stress
By Dr. Mohamad Bachar Abou Al Shaar

 

Sleep is a basic part of healthy development during the teenage years. It supports learning, attention, mood, and overall well-being. Health experts recommend that teenagers between the ages 13 and 18 get about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, but many teens do not regularly get enough rest.

 

Stress is one of the biggest reasons sleep becomes difficult for teenagers. School assignments, tests, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, friendships, family expectations, and worries about the future can all make it harder to relax at night. When teens feel mentally overloaded, they may lie awake thinking, worrying, or struggling to settle their minds before sleep. The National Institute of Mental Health also recommends keeping a sleep routine as part of coping with stress and anxiety.

 

Sleep and stress often affect each other in a cycle. Stress can make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep, and poor sleep can make a teen feel more irritable, sad, impulsive, unfocused, and overwhelmed the next day. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that children and teens who are sleep deficient may have mood swings, problems paying attention, lower grades, and increased stress.

 

Another common issue is screen use before bedtime. Phones, tablets, and computers can keep the brain active late into the evening, and blue light from devices can make it harder to fall asleep. For that reason, mental health guidance from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) advises reducing blue light exposure before bed and making sleep a priority.

 

There are simple habits that can help teens sleep better. Going to bed and waking up at a regular time each day can help the body build a healthier sleep pattern. A relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading, stretching, quiet music, or deep breathing, can also make it easier to wind down. Limiting screens before bed and keeping the bedroom quiet, dark, and comfortable can support better quality sleep.

 

Parents, caregivers, and educators can support teens by encouraging balanced schedules and talking openly about stress. Helping teenagers plan their time, reduce overload, and understand the value of sleep can make a real difference. When teens get enough rest, they are often better able to manage emotions, focus in school, and cope with everyday pressure in healthier ways.

 

 

In conclusion, sleep and stress are closely connected in adolescence. When stress increases, sleep often suffers, and when sleep suffers, mental and emotional well-being can become harder to manage. Building healthy sleep habits is one of the most practical ways to support teen mental health and daily functioning.

 

 

 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About sleep.

https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html

 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). How sleep affects your health.

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation/health-effects

 

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). I’m so stressed out! Fact sheet.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Social Media and Mental Health

Image
  W26-Capstone Consolidate-ULTRA Blog Post #4 Social Media and Mental Health By Dr. Mohamad Bachar Abou Al Shaar   Social media has become a major part of everyday life for many children and teenagers. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube allow young people to communicate with friends, share experiences, and explore their interests. In many ways, social media can have positive benefits. It allows youth to stay connected, express themselves creatively, and learn about topics that matter to them. Some young people also find supportive communities online where they can share experiences and feel understood by others who may be going through similar challenges.   However, social media can also affect mental health when it is used excessively or when young people begin comparing themselves to others online. Many posts on social media show only the best parts of people’s lives, such as vacations, achievements, or carefully edited photos. This...
Read more

Proposal

  Dear Instructor, I hope you are doing well. I am reaching out to share my proposed weekly topics for Project 2 (10 blog posts) and to ask for your approval before I start writing. Proposed weekly titles: Anxiety in Kids Depression in Teens What Is ADHD? Social Media and Mental Health Trauma and Children Anger and Big Feelings Sleep and Teen Stress Bullying and Cyberbullying Self-Harm Warning Signs Building Resilience in Kids Please let me know if these titles are acceptable or if you’d like me to adjust any of them. Thank you, Dr. Mohamad Bachar Abou Al Shaar MH2013 Capstone Consolidation Student
Read more

Trauma and Children

Image
  W26-Capstone Consolidate-ULTRA Blog Post #5 Trauma and Children By Dr. Mohamad Bachar Abou Al Shaar   Trauma is an experience that can overwhelm a child’s ability to cope and feel safe. It may occur when a child goes through frightening, stressful, or harmful events that make them feel powerless or threatened. Examples of traumatic experiences may include abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, serious accidents, natural disasters, the loss of a loved one, or ongoing family conflict. While adults may sometimes assume that children will simply “move on” from difficult experiences, trauma can have lasting emotional and behavioural effects if a child does not receive the support they need.   Children often express trauma differently than adults. Instead of clearly talking about their feelings, they may show distress through changes in behaviour, emotions, or physical symptoms. For example, a child who has experienced trauma may become more anxious, withdrawn, or...
Read more