By Carli Ruiz '20, Jaelee Jordan '20, and Olivia Newland '20
Getting the right amount of sleep each night is necessary for the body and mind to function correctly for the day. Sleep deprivation is defined as ‘not getting the required amount of sleep.’ Sleep deprivation causes many physical and emotional issues for someone who is not getting the required amount of sleep. Although there are various reasons that a person can be sleep-deprived, one of the main reasons is because of school and all the baggage that comes along with it.
Sleep deprivation affects a student’s ability to focus during school and fully comprehend the material that is being taught, which affects not only the student’s knowledge of various subjects but also their grades. There are many ways to solve the problem of sleep deprivation, such as keeping a consistent sleeping schedule and participating in relaxing activities before attempting to go to sleep. Although there seem to be many resolutions to the problem of sleep deprivation, it remains hard to go to bed early and keep a consistent schedule when schoolwork keeps kids up at night, and they have to be up bright and early for school the next morning. Craig Canapari, a leading sleep psychologist, states in his article that “The combination of heavy homework loads and early school start times is a major cause of sleep deprivation and consequent stress in teens, but this can be a problem even in younger kids.”
Some long term effects of sleep deprivation include Sleep Disruption, which may worsen symptoms such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is a common disorder that affects the large intestine and which doctors now call complications of gut-brain interactions, are related to problems with how your brain and your gut work together. Disrupted sleep is a pervasive problem, with numerous contributing factors from lifestyle and environmental factors to psychosocial issues. A systematic review, including 76 studies of the functional consequences of sleep problems in adolescents, showed psychosocial outcomes such as depression, mood disturbances, and risk-taking behavior. On top of that, academic performance appears to be especially affected by sleep disruption in adolescents. Long-term consequences of sleep disruption in otherwise healthy individuals can include high blood pressure and weight-related issues. Evidence suggests that sleep disruption may increase the risk of certain cancers and death. Due to these correlations, many schools are opting for a later start time.
Sleep deprivation is an evident problem in today’s society, especially among teenagers. It is an issue that this country has struggled with for years, and individual states have decided to take action against this. California’s governor Gavin Newsom just signed a new law stating that it will now be illegal for middle schools to ring their opening bells before 8 am and high school before 8:30 am. California has been the first state to mandate this change in our schooling systems. Other states like New York have distributed surveys, and six out of ten school board members believe that teens should start at a later hour so that their natural sleep patterns won’t be disturbed. Many students believe that the issue of sleep deprivation can be solved by giving students less homework and having a later start time so adolescents can obtain the necessary amount of sleep to function properly in school.
Canapari often talks about sleeping and how, by getting sleep, one tends to find themselves in a better mood and more prepared to face the day. Sleeping very little can leave adolescents with a bitter attitude, negative mindset, and an overall lack of motivation. With sleep, students will learn and laugh a lot easier, talk a lot more, and enjoy being around other people more. Moreover, Canapari has stated, “Sleep deprivation in teenagers is an epidemic here in the US, with up to 90% of teenagers not getting enough sleep on school nights”. Most teenagers find it a struggle to get through their day without a nap, and it’s becoming a real problem that needs a solution promptly.
Overall, sleep deprivation has become a significant problem for students, especially teenagers. They face many side effects that negatively impact their everyday life- their weariness makes it hard for them to focus and stay alert in school. A lack of sleep makes them less aware of their surroundings, which could be extraordinarily dangerous, especially for new drivers. Many students believe that it can be solved by giving students less homework and having a later start time so adolescents can obtain the necessary amount of sleep to function properly in school.