Why+Am+I+So+Sleepy?

===__Game Time! __  === ===You can see it very clearly. You've just dribbled the ball past half court, you only have one more defender to pass! A quick dribble behind your back and you've passed her! The only thing between you and the basket is...I SAID WAKE UP! You lift your head from off of your desk and notice two things: everyone is laughing at you and the teacher does not look very happy. It's at this point that you realize you've fallen asleep in class again! === 

__Tired of Being Tired? __
=== Do you feel like you are tired at school all of the time? Do you think your parents and teachers think that you're just being lazy? If so, don't feel bad because you are not alone. In fact, millions of adolescents across the country are feeling the effects of not receiving enough sleep. === 

__Facts About Teens and Sleep __
===The most important fact that you need to know is that it is perfectly normal for you to be tired at school. In fact, recent studies have shown that adolescents have different sleeping patterns than adults. According to these studies, most teens should not start feeling sleepy until 11:00 p.m. However, most teens are supposed to be in bed by 10:00 p.m. Read on for more facts about teens and sleeping. === 



 * ===<span style="color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Teens need about 9 1/4 hours of sleep per night but one sleep study found that only 15% received that amount! ===
 * ===<span style="color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">During adolescence, your sleep patterns will have you falling asleep and waking later. ===
 * ===<span style="color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Teens tend to have different sleep patterns all week long which hurts the quality of sleep you receive. ===
 * ===<span style="color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Sleep is as important of a body function as eating, drinking, and breathing ===

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Not getting enough sleep at night can result in the following problems:
<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> =<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__What You Can Do__ =
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Obviously your school work is affected. Lack of sleep can make it hard to concentrate, listen, solve problems, and of course, stay awake. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Lack of sleep can make you irritable and grouchy to your friends, family, and teachers. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">When you don't sleep enough, your immune system is weakens. As a result, you will be more likely to get sick. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Some studies show that lack of sleep can lead to pimples and acne. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Adolescents who are sleep deprived have problems eating well, leading to weight gain. ===

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">You can improve your sleep deprived performance at school by trying the following tips:

 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Keep your room cool and dark using blinds and curtains. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">No caffeine or food close to bedtime. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up time. This will help your body adjust to your sleep patterns easier. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Exercise regularly. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Unwind and relax your mind before going to bed. ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Do not nap longer than 30 minutes. (hopefully this won't be a problem at school! ===
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(239, 72, 219); font-size: 110%;">Wake up in the morning with bright light. ===

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Resources
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> [|National Sleep Foundation] [|Kids Health]