Sleep plays an important role in memory
Sleep helps our brain strengthen memories, and good sleep therefore can help us learn. But that same strengthening can also get in the way.
sleep
Teens getting less sleep than in 1991
Doctors think teens need 9 hrs of sleep a night; that sleep is limited to about 7 hrs a night when teens have high screen time.
Teen anxiety more likely with less sleep
If you get less sleep, say because school starts too early in the morning, you're more likely to have anxiety. Are there other causes for teen anxiety?
Circadian rhythm studies win a Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine goes to 3 Americans who helped us explain the circadian rhythms that control things like when teenagers sleep.
Will later school start times come to California?
The Calif. legislature had an opportunity to do something good for kids. They failed. Once again, it's a fight for local control vs. science.
Later start times could boost the US economy
We have written that starting high school after 8:30 AM can lead to better outcomes for safety and learning. It might also help the economy.
Start h.s. later in the day? Parents are split.
The early morning starts of most high schools work against teens’ natural sleep patterns. Experts say change is needed. Parents aren't sure.
Later h.s. start times bring gains for students
Research continues to underscore the benefits of starting the high school day at or after 8:30. Grad rate, attendance up after change.
High school should start later than 7:30
Evidence is overwhelming that teens need to sleep to a comfortable time, which makes starting high school before 8:30 problematic.
Serotonin, seasonal depression, & the Carolina sun
During winter when the days get shorter, some people experience a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder. It's about brain chemistry.