Research was done that has “busted” some of the most common myths when it comes to teenagers and sleep. Teenagers seem like they are on their own planet, and some parents would argue that this is the hardest stage for parenting. Teenagers are trying to find themselves, and this can be tough for anyone to navigate.
There are always misconceptions about teenagers, and they border on stereotypes, and this can be hard to break from. Many stereotypes of teenagers are about their sleep, and their “lazy” tendencies, but this may not always be accurate, and studies are being done to look at just how teenagers work.
According to Medical Xpress, researchers are “refuting” the common sleep myths about teenagers that are held by parents and caregivers. This study was done by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and it can be read in full here.
Researchers decided to shine a light on some of the most common myths on teenagers and sleep, and they recruited a variety of experts to help identify the myths and set the record straight.
Once they had uncovered the most common sleep myths, they surveyed parents and caregivers. They found that more than two-thirds believed in the top three myths about sleep. This included myths about the safety of taking melatonin, the ineffectiveness of late school start times and the harmlessness of altered bed and wake times on the weekend. This could give some clues on how to help parents realize what their teenagers need when it comes to sleep.
The researchers wanted to remove any barriers that were in the way when it comes to teenagers and sleep, and the only way to do that was to identify the myths and make sure that they could correct the misinformation that was out there. They also believe that part of the problem is the access to the internet, and while it can be a great source to turn to, it can also fuel misinformation and perpetuate these myths.
One of the biggest myths is the idea that it is Ok for them to go to bed late, and sleep in late on the weekends as long as they are getting enough sleep. However, this can hurt their sleep once the school week comes back, and it is best if they keep the same schedule. Another myth is that if school starts later, teenagers would think they could stay up later, and they have also found that this leads to more sleep, not less.
Sources: Medical Xpress, Science Direct