It’s 11:00 pm. You’re still scrolling through your phone, telling yourself, “Just five more minutes.”
Then all of a sudden, it’s midnight, and your brain is somehow more awake than it was an hour ago.
Sound familiar?
Late nights make mornings miserable. When you wake up tired, focusing in class or during activities becomes impossible.
But getting enough rest isn’t always as simple as going to bed earlier. Distractions can easily keep you up. And even if you do make it to bed on time, you might toss and turn instead of drifting off to sleep right away.
Sleep hygiene for teens is all about building healthy habits that make it easier to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed.
These practical tips will help you give your mind and body the rest they need.
(Don’t forget to download your free quick action guide below.)
Why do teens stay up late?
Teens stay up too late for several reasons, and most of them stem from habits and lifestyle choices.
After a long day of school, extracurriculars, and homework, nighttime can feel like your only chance to relax. That’s when activities like scrolling through social media, gaming, or chatting with friends can push past bedtime.
Many of these activities also involve screen time, which makes things worse. According to the Sleep Foundation, using screens at night can delay the release of melatonin. This is the hormone that helps you fall asleep. As a result, you may find yourself staying awake much later than planned.
Additionally, biology plays a role. During puberty, hormonal changes naturally push the body’s internal clock later, often by an hour or two. That’s why you might not feel sleepy until significantly later.
With all these factors at play, the relationship between teens and sleep can be complicated. But understanding why this happens is the first step to better rest.
Why do teens need more sleep?
Teens need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night.
During this stage of life, you are undergoing rapid physical and mental growth. So, sleep isn’t just “rest time” for your body; it’s when your brain and body do some of their most important work.
Here’s why sleep is so important for teens:
- Better focus and learning: Sleep supports brain development. It also strengthens memory and helps your brain process what you learned during the day. This means you can absorb new information and feel more confident in your learning.
- Stronger mood regulation: Without enough sleep, it’s easy to feel cranky or anxious. A good night’s rest helps you manage stress, control emotions, and handle challenges more calmly.
- Improved performance: Sleep can enhance your performance in sports, music, and other activities. Proper rest sharpens your reaction time, creativity, learning, and overall performance.
- Healthy growth and development: Your body needs sleep for important functions. Sleep helps to support growth, repair muscles, and keep you energized for the next day.
- Stronger immune system and long-term health: Sleep gives your body the time it needs to recharge and fight off illnesses. It also supports a healthy heart, balanced metabolism, and overall well-being.
Sleep deprivation in teens is more common than you might think.
When you consistently get less than 8 hours of sleep, the effects build up over time. You might notice yourself feeling more irritable, struggling to concentrate, or getting sick often.
The good news? Once you start prioritizing sleep, your body can recover, and you’ll typically begin feeling better within a few days.
Why do teenagers sleep so much on weekends?
If you find yourself sleeping until noon on Saturdays, you’re probably dealing with what’s known as “sleep debt.”
When you don’t get enough rest during the week, your body tries to catch up on weekends.
While recovery sleep can help you feel better temporarily, it’s not a long-term solution. The goal is to get consistent, quality sleep every night so you don’t need to crash on weekends.
In short, getting enough sleep isn’t just about avoiding morning grogginess. It’s essential for supporting your body’s rapid growth during the teenage years and protecting your health in the long run.
Sleep hygiene habits for teens that actually work
Sleep hygiene means building habits and creating an environment that helps you get high-quality sleep every night.
You don’t have to completely overhaul your life to improve your sleep hygiene. Even a few small changes to your routine can make a huge difference in how quickly you fall asleep and how rested you feel the next morning.
Let’s explore some practical sleep hygiene tips for teens.
Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up time
Your body works best on a routine. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, helps to keep your internal clock on track.
Start by setting a realistic bedtime and sticking to it as consistently as you can. Try not to shift your sleep schedule by more than an hour, even if it’s tempting to stay up late on weekends.
When you keep a steady routine, your body begins to recognize when it’s time to wind down. You’ll naturally start feeling sleepy around bedtime. This makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed the next morning.
Create a pre-sleep routine
A calming bedtime routine signals to your brain that it’s time to get ready to sleep.
Pick one or two self-care activities that help you feel calm. Examples include reading a book, listening to soft music, taking a warm bath, or doing some light stretching.
Avoid anything too stimulating before bed. Activities like doing homework, watching an intense show, or playing a fast-paced game might make you stressed or excited.
Once you’ve found what works for you, commit to doing it for about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Over time, this routine will train your body and mind to shift into “sleep mode” easily.
Limit screen time at least 30 minutes before bed
Phones, tablets, and laptops give off blue light, which can interfere with the production of melatonin. As a result, your brain may find it harder to wind down at night.
To avoid this, try putting away your devices at least 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Use that time to do something relaxing that doesn’t involve screens, such as reading, journaling, or listening to calming music.
If that feels challenging, start small. Try going screen-free just 10 minutes before bed and gradually increase the time every one or two weeks.
Keep your room cool and dark
Your sleep environment matters more than you might think.
If your bedroom is too bright, your body may still think it’s daytime, which can lower melatonin levels and make it harder to fall asleep. Your body also needs to cool down to get good quality rest.
Here are a few ways to create a sleep-friendly environment:
- Use blackout curtains or a sleep mask to block out light.
- Keep your room cool with an air conditioner or fan.
- Use earplugs or a white noise machine.
- Turn off your devices or mute notifications before bed.
Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening
Energy drinks, coffee, and some sodas contain caffeine. Caffeine stays in your system for hours, keeping you awake long after the time you intend to go to bed.
Try switching to caffeine-free drinks in the late afternoon and evening. Avoid caffeine for at least 6 to 8 hours before going to bed.
In general, teens should also limit their daily caffeine intake to under 100 mg, which is approximately equivalent to one cup of coffee.
Don’t nap too late in the day
Naps can boost energy and focus, but long or late naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night.
If you really need to nap, keep it short. Set an alarm to wake you up after 20 to 30 minutes. Make it a point to nap earlier in the afternoon rather than close to bedtime. That way, you’ll still feel refreshed during the day without disrupting your nighttime sleep.
Tips to promote better sleep quality
In addition to improving your sleep hygiene, other lifestyle habits can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep.
Use your bed only for sleep
Reserve your bed strictly for sleeping. Avoid using it for other activities, such as studying, scrolling through your phone, or watching shows.
When your brain associates your bed only with sleep, it becomes easier to relax and drift off when you get into bed.
If you enjoy reading, journaling, or listening to music, try doing those activities in another cozy spot, like a sofa or chair. Only move to your bed when you’re ready to sleep.
Exercise during the day
Regular physical activity can significantly improve the quality of your sleep. Exercise helps reduce stress and promotes deeper, more restorative sleep.
Teens should get about 60 minutes of exercise daily. But if that feels overwhelming, start small. Try 30 minutes of activity on most days and gradually build up from there.
Just remember to avoid intense workouts close to bedtime, as they can leave you feeling energized rather than sleepy.
Manage stress before bed
Maybe you’re lying in bed replaying an awkward conversation from lunch, or you can’t stop thinking about tomorrow’s biology test. When your mind races like this, falling asleep becomes nearly impossible.
Here are some ways to manage stress and clear your mind before bedtime:
- Create a to-do list to organize your thoughts and reduce mental clutter.
- Do deep breathing exercises.
- Write in a journal to release your worries or reflect on your day.
- Practice gratitude by reflecting on a few positive things that happened.
- Listen to calming music or nature sounds.
Consider using a sleep tracker
If you’re curious about your sleep patterns, using a sleep tracker can provide valuable insights.
Many phone apps and smartwatches can track how long and how deeply you sleep, helping you understand your sleep patterns better. They can also show how certain habits, such as exercise, caffeine intake, or screen time, impact your sleep.
With this information, you can make small but effective adjustments to improve your overall sleep quality.
Conclusion
Building better sleep habits is just the beginning. When you learn how to take charge of your routines, you don’t just sleep better. You also think more clearly, handle stress with confidence, and feel more in control of your life.
Through my 1:1 coaching program, I’ve helped teens transform not just their sleep, but their entire approach to school, stress, and life. If you’re ready to build habits that actually stick and create lasting change, I’d love to help!
(And if you haven’t already downloaded your free quick action guide, you can get it below.)
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