Necessary Sleep When asked how they keep themselves healthy, most children might say by eating the right foods and exercising re
gularly. While these two habits are indeed necessary for good health, how important is sleep? Sleep is a natural part of everybody's life, but many people do not know how important it is. Sleep, like diet and exercise, is necessary for our minds and our bodies to function normally. In fact, sleep appears to be a basic survival skill. In an experiment, rats that were deprived of sleep died within two to three weeks, the same amount of time that one dies from starvation. This study seems to confirm that sleep is a critical factor to living a healthy life. What Is Sleep? Sleep is defined as the period of rest when a person is inactive and unaware of his or her surroundings. Sleep can be interrupted, though, which differentiates it from a coma or a similar situation. Each night, sleeping individuals cycle between two primary kinds of sleep—REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement). REM sleep typically produces vivid dreams and brain activity similar to that of wakefulness; NREM sleep is the opposite. Though the exact reasons why humans need sleep are not fully understood, researchers know that sleep is critical to one's overall health. Results of Inadequate Sleep Children and adolescents need approximately eight to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep every night to be at their best during the day. When they get even one hour less than this, they develop what is called a sleep debt. If this sleep debt becomes too substantial, children can become sleepy when they should be alert, which interferes with normal activities and reduces their ability to function properly. A lack of sleep can even increase the likelihood that children and adolescents might receive some form of accidental injury due to a slower reaction time or an inability to completely control their motor skills. Adolescents who do not get enough sleep also perform poorly in school. Additionally, students who are tired suffer from memory lapses, behavior problems, and mood swings. They can also be viewed as either overactive and restless or lazy and sluggish. Either way, adolescents cannot perform to their fullest academic potential if they have not received the proper amount of sleep. People need to realize how important sleep is and what sleep deprivation can do to people. Signs of Inadequate Sleep How can parents tell if their adolescents are sleep deprived? According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, many symptoms help determine if children are having sleep problems. These signs include difficulty falling asleep, daytime sleepiness, nightmares, snoring, teeth grinding during sleep, and talking during sleep. Some adolescents even suffer from sleepwalking—a disorder that occurs while they are technically sleeping but are still using their motor functions and thus not receiving the proper rest that they need. Steps to Ensuring Proper Sleep Habits To avoid sleep deprivation, be sure to practice the following behaviors: Eat properly. Avoid sugar and caffeine before bed. Go to bed at the same time every night. Everybody should set a nighttime schedule and stick to it. And, get up at the same time each day. Pay attention to the signs. If adolescents discover that they are sleepwalking or snoring, it might be a sign that they are not getting the proper amount of sleep each night. People who snore or sleepwalk regularly might want to see a specialist to discover possible remedies. Get enough sleep. Don't be afraid to take a nap if you need one. Do You Get Enough Sleep? How do you know if you are getting enough sleep? You might be sleep deprived if you find yourself feeling sleepy while reading, watching television, riding in a car, or listening to a teacher or a friend. Do you have trouble concentrating at school? Do you find yourself daydreaming instead of listening to the lesson? Have you ever been in such a bad mood that you could not concentrate? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from sleep deprivation. Even if you are keeping yourself in perfect physical health, you need to give equal attention to your mental requirements. Give your brain the workout it needs, too. Get some sleep! Question 22 of 68 Which of these sentences from the passage expresses an opinion? Sleep is defined as the period of rest when a person is inactive and unaware of his or her surroundings. Children and adolescents need approximately eight to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep every night to be at their best during the day. People need to realize how important sleep is and what sleep deprivation can do to people.
