What Time Should Teens Go to Bed?

We understand as adults how important it is to get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis. I can usually go one or two nights in a row on six hours asleep and function perfectly fine. However, I understand that to be my limit. I know from experience that after two nights in a row of six hours of sleep that I will become crabby. Things that wouldn’t normally bother me begin to annoy me. I crave caffeine. I make questionable food choices. I am not my humorous and genuine self. And quite frankly, I am not very motivated to do beyond the bare minimum of what I need to do.

                It is likely that most people suffering from a lack of seep would find themselves in a similar state. That is why it is incredibly concerning to me when I hear teenagers talk about the actual amount of sleep that they get. You have probably guessed it: it’s not enough. In fact, it is recommended that teenagers get about eight to ten hours of sleep every night. I often hear teenagers talk about not going to bed until eleven at night or as late as one in the morning!

                Many high schools start classes at eight in the morning. Some students start even earlier at seven in the morning. If teens are relying on a bus to get them to school, they may be picked up as early as an hour before class starts. When students wake up, it is likely they need at least twenty minutes to get ready, if not more. Breakfasts should be eaten, and lunches should be made. They have seven or eight periods ahead of them in which they need to interact with teachers, students, and other adults. They probably have quizzes, tests, or group work in which they will need to be focused and clear headed. After school, many students participate in sports or clubs either through their high school or outside of school. When they return home from activities, they have homework and reading to complete for school. The day sounds busy as is. We haven’t even considered that students’ bodies and brains are still developing and the fact that they are often still having many new experiences in general. This is a typical teenage experience five out of seven days a week.

                What time should teenagers be going to bed? Well, if you are a teen that needs to get up at six in the morning, then you should be going to bed no later than ten at night. Yes, it might seem early. However, if you are not doing homework past that time, what are you really doing? Eight hours of sleep may not always be attainable but try to get as close to eight hours as often as possible.

If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist about this and are in the Chicago area, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167^th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Hillary R.,

Masters Level Intern, 2023

Sources –

Suni, E., & Dimitriu, A. (2023, March 1). Sleep for teenagers. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/teens-and-sleep#:~:text=Sleep%20is%20essential%20for%20teenagers,less%20sleep%20than%20they%20need.