SLHS students struggle with sleep deprivation

SLHS+students+falls+asleep+in+the+back+of+class+due+to+sleep+deprivation+from+the+night+prior.+

Autumn Mann

SLHS students falls asleep in the back of class due to sleep deprivation from the night prior.

Autumn Mann, Staff Writer

Sleep deprivation is no stranger to students at St. Louis High School. Sleep deprivation is also known as insomnia and has affected many students like a disease. Whether it’s not getting enough sleep at night or not sleeping at all and has been a very unhealthy thing that students are suffering from. Figuring out a sleep schedule can be very difficult and hard to find what best suits a person when it comes to sleeping. 

One of the many reasons teens struggle with sleep is anxiety and stress that comes with everyday things like school and drama that may appear in a teen’s life. Another thing that teens struggle with is turning off their brains when trying to sleep. This could be tied to stress. The brain keeps running and running and many struggle with turning it off. 

Having a good sleep schedule seems like a pot of gold for teens. Many teens can’t sleep so they turn towards their phones. However, it can make sleeping worse. So what can teens turn to help with sleeping? 

Well, According to the article “21 ways to fall asleep quickly and naturally” posted on the site Medical News Today, some ways to help someone fall asleep is to read a book, meditate, create a consistent sleep pattern, and try to avoid taking naps. Also, exercise is another aid to help one sleep throughout the night. Medical News Today states, “One review that looked at 305 people over 40 years old with sleeping difficulties found that moderate or high-intensity exercise programs led to improvements in sleep quality. The study also found that participants took their sleep medication less frequently while participating in an exercise program.”

One student who believes they suffer from sleep deprivation is Evelynn Gutierrez. Gutierrez stated, “I believe it is a real thing with teens because with all the stress and depression teens have to experience. And there is no way that teens get a good sleep schedule.” Some things Gutierrez turns to to help her sleep is listening to music and talking out loud to herself so she calms down and relaxes. She believes that phones are helpful for teens who need help sleeping because it helps relax the mind to be able to fall asleep.