Sleep is very important because it affects our physical health, our ability to perform daily tasks and our state of mind. Meaning that teens must get enough sleep, so they can not only do better but also feel better. 

There are multiple factors why teens stay up late. Many adolescents spend much of their time studying, doing homework, playing sports, working, and using social media. 

These activities make it harder for teens to get the necessary 8-10 hours of sleep a day. However, the CDC says that about 72.7% of teenagers do not get the minimum amount of sleep needed to function well.

Sleep is crucial not only for mental health but also for physical health. Mentally, it can change your mood, cause anxiety and affect brain development. 

John Hopkins Medicine said, “Sleep is important for teens because this is how our bodies repair themselves.” The processes needed to heal your body are extremely energy-intensive. When you’re awake, your body doesn’t have enough energy to perform activities like moving or eating. Therefore, it utilizes sleep because it’s when you’re not doing these other actions.

Cedars Sinai Doctor Azita Far said, “When teens lack sleep, it affects their ability to learn, because it reduces their ability to focus.”  

Not getting enough sleep before school can make it hard for you to remember information or concentrate. Ongoing sleep loss can physically weaken your immune system and affect your growth and overall health. 

Sleep should be a top priority for teenagers. Ways to get better sleep include shutting off your phone and devices an hour before your bedtime, because the blue light from devices can interfere with going to sleep.