A Wink of Sleep

Teenage Sleeping Patterns

• Our sleep patterns shift as we age
• Bed/Wake up times are delayed compared to adults/children
• Students cannot fall asleep before 11 PM

Lack of Sleep in Teens

• 1/5 students report falling asleep at school or while doing homework
• 87% of students in the U.S. are not getting the 9.5 hours of sleep

What Controls Sleep

• The circadian biological clocks regulate periods of alertness/sleepiness
• Sleep is regulated by the Sleep/Wake Homeostasis
• The sleep/wake homeostasis tells us when the need for sleep is growing

Dumbing Down

• Sleep is how our brains process information
• Our memory improves when we sleep well
• The body needs to rest while the brain processes

Sleep Debt

• Symptoms: accelerated aging, forgetfulness, depression 
• Can increase chances of heart problems