Why do teens sleep so much?

Teens also need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per night. This may explain why they often sleep until noon on weekends!

What role does sleep play?

Sleep is essential for several functions:

During adolescence, many changes occur. Teenagers develop their autonomy and often need more independence. They develop new friendships and sometimes experience their first romantic relationships. 

They also experience emotional upheavals, positive or negative, and experience a growth spurt. All of these changes require a lot of energy, and by the same token, teens thus need more sleep.

What factors influence sleep? 

For example, it is recommended to avoid exposure to light from electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime. 

Also, it is common to ruminate when falling asleep, leading one to think constantly and excessively about a subject or situation. To avoid this, it can be helpful to take moments during the day to reflect on these worrying situations. 

As a parent, we can offer our teen opportunities to talk about a stressful situation they are experiencing to reduce the risk of them ruminating at bedtime. For example, you can take advantage of a meal or a walk outside to open up a dialogue. 

Is it better to go to bed before midnight? 

As Cloé, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, explains in the podcast Dormez-vous? Le sommeil des ados sous la loupe (in French), this claim is a myth. The first few hours of sleep are marked by a stage of slow-wave and deep sleep that is known for its restorative aspect. However, all stages of sleep and the alternation between them are important. 

Indeed, REM sleep, which occurs mostly at the end of the night, is also essential for cognitive recovery. Regardless of the time we fall asleep, we go through all the stages of sleep during the night. So, the best time to go to bed is the one that works best for you! 

Sleep-related problems 

If your teen is experiencing some sleep problems, it's important to recognize the changes associated with adolescent sleep. Understand that their needs are different, so as not to trivialize the situation. Also, trying to identify the causes of the problem, such as anxiety or a particular stressor, makes it easier to find a solution. You may wish to consult a professional or use a tool such as l’échelle HIBOU (available in French).

It can be helpful to know some tricks. For example, encourage your teen to get out of bed when they cannot sleep in order to avoid associating these waking periods marked by rumination or stress with their bed. Also, it is recommended to reserve the bedroom and bed for sleep only.

What to do for a good night's sleep?

To promote good sleep, we recommend helping your child ensure that their sleep schedule meets their needs and is adapted to their current reality (school schedule, social activities, stress, etc.). As a parent, you can also act as a role model by implementing your own healthy routine before going to bed. 

It is also important to make sure that the young person's environment is conducive to sleep. For example, by limiting exposure to screens before bedtime, having clean sheets, a cool temperature, and a dark room overnight. 

To learn more about the different issues facing teens today and how to best help them move through these challenges with supportive parenting practices, listen to the Navigating Together podcast available on all your listening platforms or on casecultive.ca. 

Reference(in french)

Association pour la santé publique du Québec, Dormez-vous ? Le sommeil des ados sous la loupe,
CHU Sainte-Justine, Hygiène du sommeil du jeune de 12 à 17 ans,