Sleep is something that every teenager wants but never seems to get enough. From busy schedules, to relationships, to homework, it can be hard for teens to find enough time to get the necessary seven to eight hours of sleep. So what consequences can come along with this constant lack of sleep amongst most teenagers?

“On average I get around three to four hours of sleep a night,” junior Rusty McQueen said.

According to BetterHealth.gov, the lack of sleep in teens can lead to a multitude of effects that can have negative side effects. Some of these consequences include concentration difficulties, memory impairment, clumsiness and depression. These effects can lead to slower development in teens and they could start to fall behind on tasks in life if they haven’t already.

There are ways that teens and parents can help reverse these effects in order to have a fulfilling life. It is important that teens and parents communicate with each other about scheduling to make sure that teens get enough sleep and parents are allowing them to do so. Along with that, it is important that the teens stick to healthy habits in order to make sure that their body clock is running properly. This may include creating a bedtime routine, avoiding screens before bed or getting active during the day to become more tired at night.