BY MURPHY GARCIA, Editor
Sleep deprivation is a common ground when it comes to teenagers. When lives are packed with sports, homework, tests, family and work, sleep is the last thing on the list.
There are many different reasons why one might not sleep very well at night. If the back hurts during the day, the position while sleeping makes a big difference, which will prevent future back problems.
If one regularly sleeps on the right side, place an extra pillow in between knees. This helps the knees from pushing together, causing the back to hurt later. Same thing goes for left side, still placing the pillow in between the knees.
If one regularly sleeps on your back, put a pillow underneath both of the knees. Elevating them will decrease the pressure on the lower back.
Although many may do it, sleeping on top of the stomach is the worst way to sleep, due to the spine being curved so much. The top half is supported by a pillow, so the bottom half is strained by the position of the curve. Not to mention the fact that all facial pores are being smeared over the same pillow used every night.
Eating before bed is something to avoid if possible. Anything eaten after seven p.m. cannot be digested before bed, causing the metabolism to lower. Eating before bed can also cause nightmares or interrupted sleeping.
Depending on the person, some may have to eat or drink something to help them fall asleep and stay asleep during the night.
“I wake up a lot during the night, so I drink tea and take some medicine before bed, sophomore Karen Mendoza said.
The biggest thing to remember when it comes to a good night’s sleep, is that there should be no lights flashing, flickering or shining. Even if it’s the tiniest light, and you may not realize it, it will disrupt sleep patterns. This includes any smoke alarms, phones, TVs and more.
A typical teen room will probably contain the following electronics: phones, computers, iPods or TVs. Electricity is a hidden interruption when it comes to sleep because it gives of radiation on or off. In order to sleep properly, there should be no electronics in the room at all.
“It wakes them up so they don’t get a full length of sleep. [I recommend] shutting it off, putting it in another room so you have to get up to get it or answer it,” health teacher Cindy Miller said.
A long sleep is a good sleep and getting at least eight-10 hours of shut-eye a night is proper. When students do not get the proper amount of sleep during the night, they lose energy.
“They are less productive in classrooms [and are] grouchy, crabby, very short-tempered, and it sometimes affects appetite,” Miller said.
A helpful way of getting the right amount of sleep each night is to take naps during the day. Most people work, go to school or have sports, but after sports, it can be a good idea to get a quick 30-minute power nap in before doing homework.
“I go to bed around eight and get up at five,” sophomore Kendall Krawczyk said.
She gets at least nine hours of sleep each night, and if she finishes her homework early, she sometimes goes to bed earlier.
Following these simple steps will ensure a full, comforting night’s sleep. A comforting night’s sleep means a happy morning. A happy morning means a productive day, and a productive day means a good night’s sleep.