How Much Sleep Do Teens Need?
Parent from Branford, Conn. A: Research has clearly documented that the average teenager needs 9.25 hours of sleep at night. Unfortunately, the average teenager is getting between only 7 and 7.5 hours of sleep. Mindell Q: I am a shift worker from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. I seem to be having trouble trying to get a full eight hours of sleep. I periodically wake up every three to four hours, even though my room is completely dark. What do you think the problem is, and is there a solution? Young man from San Diego A: I’m sorry to say that you are normal, considering your shift-work circumstances. Most people who do either rotating shifts or permanent night shift never adequately adapt so that they can get sufficient sleep. Our circadian rhythms naturally promote sleep at nighttime. The circadian system usually is reset daily around dawn. When people who have worked all night and go out into the sunlight at 7 a.m., (they) are exposed to the same biological signal as everyone else who has just sle
