Many teens have a hard time winding down at bedtime. This can prevent them from getting the recommended amount of sleep they need every night. Not surprisingly, many teens I talk with report difficulty concentrating at school, daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
There are numerous reasons why teens struggle with sleep, as well as several strategies to address those root causes. Teens often have more trouble falling asleep than when they were younger due to growth spurts and body changes. Rapid body changes, especially in adolescence, can disrupt sleep.
This happens because the growth phase they are in causes their circadian rhythm — the body’s internal clock — to reset, delaying their sleep cycle. Stress, anxiety and worry are other common reasons for sleep problems. Teens are dealing with more stress than their younger peers, which can interrupt their rest and recovery at night.
Late-night phone and social media use, and sports or other physical activities close to bedtime can also make it more difficult to fall asleep. Other causes of sleep trouble include health conditions like iron deficiency. Teens who don’t have enough of this mineral may have symptoms such as cramps and involuntary movements in their legs that can wake them up from sleep.
If your doctor thinks your child may have this issue, they will typically order a hemoglobin, ferritin and/or iron panel to check. Sleep is vital for everyone, especially growing, developing children and teens. Kids who get enough.
