Topic 4 Sleep Health

Why should teenagers learn about sleep health?

Sleep helps adolescents’ brain development, keeping the biological neural network in the brain functioning and maintaining cognitive abilities and rational and critical thinking abilities. However, due to the heavy workloads of teenagers to study, teenagers often need to study late at night, resulting in a lack of sleep. In addition, teenagers who use electronic screen devices at night may delay falling asleep because of the stimulation. Their mood swings may also make it difficult for them to fall asleep. Lack of sleep can affect adolescent health, and teachers may let teenagers understand the importance of sleep and sleep cycles, thereby establishing good sleep habits and helping them get adequate sleep.

Main concepts

Let teenagers understand the meaning of sleep health and the importance of sleep. Sleep plays a vital role in the growth and academic performance of adolescents. Sleep affects adolescents’ brain development, physical development, and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Let teenagers understand good sleep and healthy sleep habits, explore their sleep patterns and the reasons for occasional poor sleep, analyse the primary factors and thinking habits that may affect their sleep, and help them establish a lifestyle that allows them to get quality sleep.
Discuss with teenagers the relationship between using electronic screen products and technology and sleep, and learn how to balance time spent on study, social interaction, entertainment and rest.
When teaching the topic, teachers can combine the uses of a sleep diary, technology products (such as electronic wristbands) or other activities to help teenagers evaluate their sleep status and arouse interest in sleep topics. Teachers should also pay attention to the students' diversity and individual conditions and not unintentionally make sleep a source of stress or anxiety in students.

Keywords

#Memory #Rapid Eye Movement Sleep #Melatonin #Sleep Pressure

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