Should teenagers be allowed to stay awake till late at night and wake up late too? Nutrition expert Prashant Desai has posted a video on his official Instagram handle explaining why parents should allow their teenagers to sleep in till late.
In the video Desai has explained that naturally sleeping late and waking up late is caused due to a person’s circadian rhythm, which shifts forward during puberty and adolescence. He further explained that this rhythm is inherited from our ancestors when youngsters used to protect people at night while adults slept early. According to the expert, melatonin, the sleep signal, peaks later for teens, making late-night hours optimal for their productivity and learning. So, he advises parents to let teens sleep till late if they need to.
The circadian cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm, refers to the natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. This rhythm is driven by an internal biological clock that responds primarily to light and darkness in the environment.
It influences when we feel alert and when we feel sleepy, typically following a pattern where alertness peaks during the day and dips at night. Circadian rhythms also affect body temperature, which tends to be higher during the day and lower at night. Various hormones such as melatonin (which helps regulate sleep) and cortisol (which helps regulate energy) are produced according to circadian rhythms.
Teenagers typically need more sleep than adults or younger children due to several physiological and developmental factors:
Delayed Circadian Rhythm: Adolescents tend to experience a shift in their circadian rhythm, known as a delayed sleep phase. This means they naturally feel more alert later in the evening and may find it difficult to fall asleep early.
Physical Growth and Development: During adolescence, teenagers experience significant growth spurts and physical changes. Sleep is crucial for proper growth, as growth hormone is primarily released during deep sleep stages.
Brain Development: The teenage brain undergoes substantial development, including synaptic pruning and myelination (the insulation of nerve fibers). Adequate sleep supports these processes, aiding in learning, memory consolidation, and overall cognitive function.
Hormonal Changes: Puberty brings about hormonal shifts, including changes in melatonin production, which regulates sleep-wake cycles. These changes can disrupt sleep patterns, making it more challenging for teenagers to fall asleep early and wake up early.
Increased Academic and Social Demands: Teenagers often face increasing academic pressures, extracurricular activities, and social interactions. These demands can lead to irregular sleep schedules or insufficient sleep if not properly managed.
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