Is the Circadian Rhythm a new music trend?
Many school districts are considering moving to new bell times to meet high school and middle school students sleep needs. The notion is being considered across the nation as more and more school districts delay their start times to better align with teenage sleep schedules. Studies indicate an increased risk of depression and poor academic performance as some of the negative consequences of sleep deprivation in adolescents.
Research shows that most adolescents do not get enough sleep. Teens experience hormonal shifts that make falling asleep earlier difficult, if not impossible. Their biological clocks simply won’t allow them to fall asleep, even when they’re tired. It is not because of social media or video games, but because adolescents experience a temporary biological shift in sleep onset and wake times. When puberty hits, the rhythm shifts, causing children to go to bed later.
Most schools require students to start school early in the morning, sometimes as early as 7 AM. This can put a strain on the circadian rhythm, as most teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep each night, which can be difficult to accomplish when school starts so early. This is why many people are advocating for later school start times, as it would give students more time to get the sleep they need.
Shifting bell times for middle and high school students to start school at 8:30 AM or later has been endorsed by many major medical associations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association.
Why can’t the kids go to bed earlier?
You might recognize that you tend to feel energized or hungry around the same time each day. Science has determined that we have a circadian rhythm that operates in the background of our brains and cycles between sleepiness and alertness at regular intervals. Often referred to as our “internal clock,” it is the bodily processes that regulate our sleep schedules. Your circadian rhythm works best when you have regular sleep habits.
The circadian rhythm is an incredibly important part of our lives; it is an internal clock that regulates the 24-hour cycle of biological processes in our bodies. This rhythm dictates when it is time to sleep, wake up, eat, and even when hormones are released. Having a disrupted circadian rhythm can lead to a variety of issues, including mental health issues and even physical health issues.
One way to ensure that our circadian rhythm remains in optimal condition is to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. For most people, this means getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night and going to bed around the same time.
Having a later school start time would be incredibly beneficial for students, as it would give them the opportunity to get the sleep they need. Not only would this benefit their overall health, but it would also benefit their academic performance. Studies have shown that students who get enough sleep tend to perform better in school and have higher grades than those who don’t get enough sleep.
