Sleeping, like eating, breathing, and staying hydrated, is a crucial element of human life, though it isn’t always treated as such. Getting a good night’s rest is especially necessary during the teenage years, as many hormones that stimulate growth and development are released only while the body is dormant (Pietrangelo). Teenagers require, on average, 9 and ¼ hours of sleep each day (Later School Start Times). At the same time, their natural circadian rhythms trigger sleepiness later at night (Later School Start Times). Thus, while many teenagers are unable to fall asleep before, or even at, 11 PM, they are still forced out of bed at the crack of dawn and expected to be alert and ready to learn within an hour of doing so (Later School Start Times). This pattern creates a harmful sleep deficit, wreaking havoc …show more content…
Later school start times would promote healthy sleep patterns which would reduce the probability of developing mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. Sleep deprivation, while often viewed as a symptom of existing mental illness, can also serve as a catalyst for such ailments. While the average teenager requires little over nine hours of sleep per night, a study by The National Institutes of Health revealed that only 3% of teenagers are getting the amount they need (Rodriguez). In fact, the majority reported only sleeping 6.5 hours per night (Rodriguez). The researchers discovered that for each hour of sleep lost, there was a 38% increase in feelings of sadness and hopelessness, a 42% increase in suicidal thoughts, and a 58% increase in actual suicide attempts (Rodriguez). With teenagers sleeping an average of 2.5 hours less than they require, the majority already have a higher probability of developing these symptoms. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to a spike in anticipatory anxiety. Researchers