Is Your Student Sleep Deprived?

Remember those late-night cram sessions before finals? Well, your kids are probably spending even more late nights doing their homework, according to one author.

A student survey by the Redwood Bark would seem to back up that statement. The 2010 study says only 27 percent of Redwood students say they get enough sleep.

It is suggested that juveniles need about nine hours of sleep each night.

So maybe it takes awhile for students to wake up in the morning, or they get drowsy in the afternoon. What's the harm? Medical News Today reported a study by Fred Danner, PhD, of the University of Kentucky says a lack of sleep could not only hurt a student's grades, but could also lead to serious health problems, including ADHD.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) offers the following tips for a good night's sleep:

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine.
  
  
• Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.
  
  
• Avoid foods or drinks that contain caffeine, as well as any medicine that has a stimulant, prior to bedtime.
  
  
• Do not stay up all hours of the night studying.
  
  
• Keep computers and TVs out of the bedroom.
  
  
• Do not go to bed hungry, but don't eat a big meal before bedtime either.
  
  
• Avoid any rigorous exercise within six hours of your bedtime.
  
  
• Make your bedroom quiet, dark and a little bit cool.
  
  
• Get up at the same time every morning.

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