Teenagers need an average of 9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is important – it is the time when growing happens.
During the teenage years, the body's 'clock' is temporarily reset, telling a person to fall asleep later and wake up later. It is natural for teenagers not to feel tired later in the evening.
Here are some of the signs that your teen might need more sleep:
Teens also have a high risk of having car accidents because of falling asleep behind the wheel.
Here are a few suggestions to get your teen the sleep they need.
Establish a reasonable bedtime and wake time, make this consistent throughout the week (remember they need about 9 hours sleep).
Establish a bedtime routine, taking a hot shower or quiet activity like reading, beforehand.
Cut down on caffeine (especially from energy drinks).
Encourage daily exercise (make sure this is at least 2 hours before bedtime).
Unless it's important (like sports or an appointment), let them sleep later in the morning in the weekends.
The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation are very grateful to Northland District Health Board (NDHB) for permission to reproduce this content from the Whānau pack: Tools for families and parents with teenagers [2].
Copyright
NDHB own the copyright in this material and it must not be copied or reproduced except as expressly permitted by NDHB.
This page last reviewed 12 March 2024.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/parenting-teens
[2] https://www.northlanddhb.org.nz/your-health/health-resources/whanau-pack/
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1806?language=rar
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1804?language=rar
[5] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/2542?language=rar
[6] https://www.sleepwake.ac.nz/what-we-do/covid-19-resources/sleep-for-parents-and-babies/
[7] https://www.sleepwake.ac.nz/what-we-do/covid-19-resources/childrens-sleep-for-parents/
[8] https://www.sleepwake.ac.nz/what-we-do/covid-19-resources/childrens-sleep-for-children/
[9] https://www.sleepwake.ac.nz/what-we-do/covid-19-resources/sleep-for-teenagers/
[10] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F1790%3Flanguage%3Drar